Marking one month since the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act, Koh Bum-seok, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated today (Nov. 2) that "no significant confusion or concerns are being detected in the field."

During a regular press conference held at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Chief Koh remarked, "While the number of requests for supplementary investigations has increased, it is not at an overwhelming level."

The monthly average of supplementary investigation requests within the jurisdiction of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, which stood at 75 between January and September of this year, rose by 19 to 94 in October.

Dividing this across 31 police stations amounts to an increase of about 0.6 cases per station.

Chief Koh noted, "Most of the supplementary investigation requests involve supplementing factual relations or procedures rather than dealing with difficult legal principles," adding, "There have been no reports of particular difficulties from the frontline."

Case filings, which average about 45,000 per month, increased by about 1,000, or 2%, in October compared to the previous month.

Since the law took effect, 37 cases have been transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency by prosecutors conducting investigations.

Stating that job training is underway to help newly appointed investigators settle into their fields, Chief Koh said, "We will closely monitor and address any problematic areas arising after the revision."

As a result of a comprehensive inspection conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on 8,800 relational crime cases from October 19 to 30, there were 297 instances where requests for arrest warrants or detention in holding cells were filed to isolate offenders during the inspection process.

Cases involving additional victim safety measures, such as private security, numbered 226, while pre-indictment investigations were launched in 18 cases.

Cumulative private security measures for victims of relational crimes within the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency jurisdiction stood at 61 cases as of the end of September, with 19 more added through this comprehensive inspection.

Over the same period, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency held daily on-site case inspection meetings, directing supplementary investigations for 734 cases.

This inspection is the third of its year, targeting cases that occurred after May, when the previous inspection concluded.

When asked if any inappropriate case handlings were found, Chief Koh explained that none were found, and that the actions were taken by contacting victims and checking for risk signs.

Regarding the investigation into major cases, he stated that Lawmaker Kim Byung-kee was summoned on October 31 for about 15 hours of questioning, including record reviews, and that suspicions of witness tampering were also addressed.

The final decision on whether to reapply for an arrest warrant will be made through cooperative procedures for major cases with prosecutors from the Public Prosecutors' Office.

Regarding Nonghyup Chairman Kang Ho-dong, who faces suspicions including embezzlement and receiving valuables, Koh explained, "The investigation is nearly complete and we are conducting a final review of the legal principles."

The suspicions regarding Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's wrongful execution of encouragement funds and false reporting of business promotion expenses were assigned to the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials was notified of the fact.

The case involving the defamation complaint filed by Lawmaker Joo Jin-woo against Kim Hye-kyung was assigned to the Metropolitan Investigation Unit.

For suspicions related to the children of Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, the complainant investigation was completed on October 27, and evidence materials and legal principles are currently under review.

Regarding suspicions of rebates related to the Hangang River bus contract, Seoul city officials and the complainant were questioned on October 23 and 28, respectively, and submitted materials are being analyzed.

A complaint regarding suspicions of sexual exploitation in the traditional Korean music sector was filed on October 19 and assigned to the Bangbae Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the location where the offense took place.

This case involves suspicions that a renowned traditional musician repeatedly harassed and sexually assaulted a minor apprentice from 2019 to the latter half of 2023, prompting the police investigation after the victim filed a complaint.

When asked about the necessity of an investigation at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency level, Chief Koh said, "We naturally provide investigative and legal support. If cases become larger and more complex, we take them over and investigate, but we determined that proceeding according to procedures is still largely unproblematic."

Evidentiary materials are being analyzed regarding suspicions including professional breach of trust against the former president of LG Energy Solution, and the hacking damage case involving LG Uplus is investigating newly perceived incidents.

Regarding the dismissal of arrest warrant applications for the chairman of Daoll Financial Group and the CEO of Daoll Savings Bank, he clarified, "It is not a request for supplementation, but rather an intent not to request [warrants]."

Police are investigating suspicions that Daoll Investment & Securities received about 300 billion won in indirect support through its subsidiary Daoll Savings Bank when it experienced a liquidity crisis due to the Legoland incident in 2022.

(Photo: Yonhap News)