"Fair Reduction of Official Duty Liability"... Progress Seen in Passage of 'Police Officer Duty Execution Act' Amendment Bill

Public Administration Committee Passes 'Swiftly', Full Judiciary Committee Meeting on 8th
Civil Groups "Concerns of Abuse"... On Site "Harmony of Human Rights and Public Authority"

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency (left), is responding to lawmakers' questions regarding the 'Partial Amendment to the Police Officer Duty Execution Act' at the plenary meeting of the Administrative Safety Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of November 29. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The revision of the “Police Officer Duty Execution Act (Gyeongjikbeop),” which reduces criminal liability for police officers when harm occurs during the legitimate execution of official duties, is gaining momentum. It is expected that once the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Law Committee) passes it, there will be no issues in submitting and processing it at the plenary session. ▶Refer to our special reports “Collapsed Public Authority” on November 24, December 3 and 6

According to the National Assembly and the National Police Agency on the 7th, the Law Committee plans to hold a plenary meeting on the 8th to review the Gyeongjikbeop revision bill. Since the bill has already passed the relevant committee, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Committee (MoIS Committee), it is highly likely that the Law Committee will also approve it without difficulty. If the Law Committee passes the bill after systematic and textual review, the revision is expected to be processed within this regular session of the National Assembly.

The Gyeongjikbeop revision bill includes provisions allowing for mitigation or exemption of criminal liability for police officers if harm occurs to others during the performance of duties to prevent or suppress urgent situations, provided there is no intentional or gross negligence, taking circumstances into consideration. This comes in response to criticism over the police’s inadequate response following last month’s “Incheon Interfloor Noise Stabbing Incident,” aiming to guarantee active and legitimate law enforcement by police officers.

The MoIS Committee swiftly approved the Gyeongjikbeop revision bill at the bill review subcommittee on the 25th and the plenary meeting on the 29th of last month. Seo Young-kyo, chairperson of the MoIS Committee, said, “This is a very meaningful law,” adding, “We must actively respond at the scene where a crime is about to be committed or is being committed.” In response, Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you for approving this important legal revision that can be a great support to police officers on the ground when they are truly struggling and facing difficulties,” and added, “I consider this a demand and order to protect citizens’ safety more actively, and I will take this as an opportunity to do our best for public safety.”

Some civil society groups express concerns about potential abuse of police authority regarding the Gyeongjikbeop revision bill. However, within and outside the police, public opinion largely supports the necessity of liability mitigation to ensure strict law enforcement and citizen protection. Lee Woong-hyuk, professor of Police Science at Konkuk University, explained the significance of the law revision, stating, “It seems that the image of the police from the military dictatorship era 30 years ago is still imprinted,” and emphasized, “We need to balance human rights and the public authority that citizens desire.”

Meanwhile, on the same day, Commissioner Kim visited the Guri Police Station in Gyeonggi Province and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to observe the “Special Training for Strengthening Field Response” and held a meeting with police officers who participated in the training. He said, “When dispatched to the field, officers must be prepared to handle unexpected situations,” and urged, “Through team-based, practical simulation training, we must develop capabilities that ensure the safety of not only the public but also individual police officers.”