Kim Min-seok Promises to Accelerate Police Reform, Criticizes False Case Closure Despite Supplementary Prosecution System

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok stated regarding the false closure case surrounding the disappearance of the late Jang Mi-ran that he will "accelerate police reform."

During a Supreme Council meeting held today (the 26th) at the North Gyeongsang Provincial Chapter in Andong, leader Kim emphasized, "Both the public and the president are of one mind in recognizing that police reform is extremely important and are raising issues accordingly."

Kim explained, "Back when I served as prime minister and prosecution reform was already underway, I thought police reform was also a critical issue, so I requested the police to prepare reform plans quite early on. Seeing that the progress and substance did not advance well afterward, I felt a very strong sense of concern."

He added, "The false closure of the Jeju disappearance case is inciting public outrage, and contrary to claims from some quarters, this occurred while the prosecution's supplementary investigation authority was actively functioning. We must root out the six major abuses, including protecting one's own people, burying cases, unauthorized closures, evidence concealment and fabrication, leaking investigative information, and infringing on personal privacy."

Furthermore, he promised, "Under the principle of popular sovereignty, we will strengthen democratic control over both the prosecution and the police. We will protect investigations that safeguard the people while resolutely reforming investigative powers that infringe upon the rights and interests of the citizens."

Kim also stated, "We will seek alternatives such as expanding external audits, strengthening grounds for disqualification from investigations, enhancing explanations to victims, and reinforcing legal accountability for illegal and shoddy investigations. We must also establish command supervision and accountability based on the chain of command more firmly."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.