Police officers who distort the law or receive money and entertainment related to investigation and crackdown duties will face dismissal or removal from office as a rule.

The Korean National Police Agency announced that the National Police Commission passed a partial amendment to the Detailed Enforcement Rules on Police Official Disciplinary Actions during its 596th meeting.

The amendment establishes new disciplinary standards for acts corresponding to the crime of law distortion stipulated in Article 123-2 of the Criminal Act, making "exclusionary disciplinary action" that strips public officials of their status the standard.

Disciplinary standards have also been strengthened to fundamentally dismiss or remove officers for receiving money and valuables or entertainment related to investigation and crackdown duties, viewing such acts as serious corruption that undermines the fairness of investigations and public trust in the police.

Minimum heavy disciplinary action, such as removal from office, will be imposed even in cases where important investigation and crackdown information—such as whether a warrant has been issued, the presence of major evidence, and internal information related to wanted suspects or crackdowns—is leaked or disclosed.

The National Police Agency explained that this reflects the fact that such information leaks hinder normal investigations and crackdowns while undermining the rights and interests of individuals involved and the fairness of investigations.

An official from the National Police Agency stated, "We will firmly respond to corruption that undermines the fairness and accountability of investigations, and build a police investigation system that the public can trust and feel secure about."

(Photo: Yonhap News)