Joint Task Force Formed by the National Police Agency and the National Investigation Headquarters
Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency bowed his head in apology on the afternoon of the 6th at the National Police Agency in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, regarding the 'Jeong-in case.' [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police, who faced public backlash for their inadequate response to the 'Jeong-in case,' are accelerating follow-up measures to prevent recurrence. A joint task force (TF) composed of the National Police Agency and the National Investigation Headquarters has been formed, and a new department dedicated to investigating and protecting/supporting child abuse cases will be established.
Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated at a press briefing on the 11th, "Internal consensus has been reached to have special investigation units under the city and provincial police agencies handle child abuse crimes involving children under 13 years old," adding, "In addition to establishing an abuse prevention division within the National Police Agency, we are also discussing organizational restructuring with the city and provincial police agencies."
The police plan to first expand the Special Investigation Team for Crimes Against Women, currently operating as a team under the Women’s Investigation Division of the city and provincial police agencies, into a 'Special Investigation Unit' and make it an independent department. The investigation unit will include a dedicated child abuse team to professionally handle child abuse-related tasks. Furthermore, reports of child abuse involving children under 13 will be handled exclusively by each city and provincial police agency, while for adolescents aged 13 to under 18, the police will expand the Women and Youth Violent Crime Teams, currently piloted in 14 police stations, to major police stations nationwide to conduct investigations. Starting from this day, the police will conduct daily inspections of all related cases, and both police stations and city/provincial police agencies will review each case twice or thrice.
Alongside this, a task force (TF) to prepare recurrence prevention measures will be activated. The deputy commissioner of the National Police Agency and the head of the National Investigation Headquarters will serve as co-chairs. The TF will include autonomous police responsible for child abuse, the National Investigation Headquarters, and the national police. Specifically, from the autonomous police, two divisions under the Women’s Safety Planning Officer of the Public Safety Bureau will participate; from investigations, the Women and Youth Crime Investigation Division under the Criminal Affairs Bureau Chief; and from the national police, personnel and legal functions will be involved. All three pillars within the police will participate to devise comprehensive measures, with plans to immediately implement any systems that can be enacted without delay.
Discussions are also underway to introduce 'incentives' to recruit more Abuse Prevention Officers (APOs), a department considered undesirable within the police. Selection will prioritize officers with degrees or certifications related to children and youth to enhance expertise. A senior official from the National Police Agency explained, "We are preparing extraordinary measures to strengthen the capabilities of the women’s investigation function, including promotions, and will strive to attract high-quality personnel."
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