[2021 National Audit] The First Year of 'Prosecutor-Police Investigation Authority Adjustment,' Police Disciplinary Actions Actually Increased

300 Disciplinary Police Officers from January to August... 15.4% Increase
Assemblyman Park Jae-ho "Strong Measures Needed to Eradicate Misconduct"

Jaeho Park, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Despite the increased authority of the police due to this year's adjustment of investigative rights between the prosecution and the police, the number of police officer disciplinary actions has rather increased, raising concerns that establishing discipline is urgent.

According to the disciplinary status of the police submitted by the National Police Agency to Park Jae-ho, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the number of disciplined police officers was 428 in 2019, 426 last year, and 300 from January to August this year. In particular, looking only at January to August, there were 269 cases in 2019 and 260 last year, showing a 15.4% increase in disciplinary cases this year.

This year's reasons for disciplinary actions were 88 cases of violation of regulations, 92 cases of damage to dignity, and 13 cases of bribery, which increased by 69.2%, 24.3%, and 8.3% respectively compared to the previous year. Negligence of duty was 28 cases, and drunk driving was 43 cases, decreasing by 20.0% and 15.7% respectively, while sexual misconduct remained unchanged at 36 cases.

The city/provincial police agency with the largest increase in disciplinary cases was the Incheon Police Agency, which increased by 12 cases compared to the previous year. This was followed by Busan Police Agency (9 cases), Gangwon Police Agency (8 cases), Jeonnam Police Agency (7 cases), and Daejeon Police Agency (6 cases).

By rank, disciplinary actions against police officers at the rank of lieutenant and above increased. The number of disciplinary cases for ranks of lieutenant and above was 210 this year, a 28.0% increase compared to last year. Disciplinary cases for police officers at the rank of sergeant and below were 90, a 1.9% decrease.

Rep. Park said, "If police discipline is not established, it will not only damage the national public authority but also greatly affect the safety of the people due to the absence of security services," adding, "The police must thoroughly reflect and reform, and the leadership should take the initiative to implement strong measures and eradicate various misconducts."