Ministry of the Interior and Safety Accelerates 'Direct Police Control'... Lee Sang-min "Proceeding According to Advisory Committee Recommendations"

Criticism of 'Establishment of Police Support Organization within Ministry of the Interior and Safety' Refuted Point by Point... On Legislative Trick Criticism, "Can Be Promoted by Enforcement Decree"
Lee Sang-min "Final Plan to Be Prepared by the 15th of Next Month After Gathering Various Opinions"... Prompt Launch of 'Police System Development Committee' Planned

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is arriving at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 27th. On this day, the minister will unveil plans to strengthen police control in the future, centered on the establishment of a police affairs organization within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, known as the so-called "Police Bureau." / Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is pushing ahead with the establishment of a police-related support organization within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) following the recommendations announced on the 21st by the 'Police System Improvement Advisory Committee.' He is also enacting command regulations for the National Police Agency and forming the 'Police System Development Committee' to devise fundamental development plans for the police system.

On the 27th, Minister Lee announced this during a briefing at the Government Seoul Office regarding the 'Finalization of the Establishment Policy for the Police Work Organization and the Launch Preparation of the Police System Development Committee' based on the advisory committee's recommendations.

Minister Lee stated, "I strongly agree with the advisory committee's recommendations," adding, "I consider the improvement plan essential for strengthening democratic management and operational capabilities in mission execution. We plan to steadily and unwaveringly proceed with the plan in consultation with the National Police Agency and others."

The advisory committee's recommendations, announced earlier, include ▲establishing a police-related support organization within MOIS ▲enacting command regulations for the Minister of the Interior and Safety over affiliated agencies ▲forming a high-ranking police candidate recommendation committee and granting disciplinary request authority. In response, MOIS plans to gather diverse opinions through forums, press briefings, and consultations with related agencies such as the National Police Agency and the Fire Agency, and finalize the plan by the 15th of next month to begin drafting and revising related regulations.

On the same day, Minister Lee refuted point by point the controversy surrounding the so-called establishment of the 'Police Bureau.' He first claimed that the government had unofficially controlled the police directly through the Blue House, which disregards the system established by the Constitution and laws. Minister Lee explained, "The current government aims to reform past practices by directing the police through the Minister of the Interior and Safety and abolishing the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and the Security Secretary. Without a police work organization within MOIS, neither the President nor the Minister of the Interior and Safety would have an organization to command and supervise the police, making it impossible to fulfill their roles and responsibilities."

He strongly rebutted criticisms that the move is a 'legislative trick' to control the police by changing enforcement decrees and rules, and that it represents a regression to the 'Security Headquarters' era 31 years ago. Minister Lee asserted that the Minister has the authority to command and supervise the National Police Agency based on constitutional powers and enumerated duties under the Government Organization Act.

He said, "The Commissioner of the National Police Agency can only submit bills such as legal amendments and important plans to the Cabinet meeting through the Minister of the Interior and Safety. According to the Government Organization Act, while the Minister of the Interior and Safety does not directly perform security duties, they have the responsibility and authority to verify and supervise the proper execution of the police agency's work. Establishing an organization to exercise the powers granted by the Constitution and laws is an execution of the legislator's mandate and can be pursued through government enforcement decrees," he emphasized.

Regarding the criticism of reverting to the 'Security Headquarters' era after 31 years, he explained, "The police work organization under review in 1991 within the Ministry of Home Affairs differs vastly in scale, role, and authority, making comparison impossible." He added, "Establishing a police work organization within MOIS does not mean abolishing the National Police Agency and absorbing it into MOIS as the Security Headquarters once was, but rather installing the minimum necessary organization within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to appropriately command and supervise."

He also anticipated positive effects such as responsible role execution by the Minister of the Interior and Safety, changes in the proportion of high-ranking officers by police entry routes, and strengthening of public human rights protection and community safety. Minister Lee said, "There have been cases where dismissal motions were proposed and even passed in the National Assembly due to responsibilities related to public safety. Going forward, the Minister of the Interior and Safety will be able to perform police-related duties more faithfully with the support of the police work organization."

Furthermore, he foresaw breaking the monopoly structure of certain backgrounds in high-ranking police positions and enhancing protection of citizens' human rights and community safety through the expanded authority of the police. Minister Lee explained, "We plan to establish a promotion system strictly based on ability and performance so that general police officers such as patrol officers can be promoted to senior executives. Through appropriate command and checks over the police, whose authority has been strengthened by recent adjustments to investigative rights between the prosecution and police, proper management and operation will be possible."

Meanwhile, regarding the command regulations for affiliated agencies, Minister Lee announced plans to prepare a 'Regulation on Command by the Head of Affiliated Agencies' at a level similar to other ministries. Additionally, to establish fundamental development plans for democratic management, operation, and mission capability enhancement of the police, the 'Police System Development Committee' will be formed and operated. The committee is expected to thoroughly discuss matters requiring legal amendments or mid- to long-term review, including the advisory committee's recommendations.

Minister Lee stated, "MOIS plans to enact regulations on command by the heads of affiliated agencies to build a cooperative system with the National Police Agency and the Fire Agency," adding, "The Police System Development Committee will gather diverse opinions on discussion topics and committee composition to ensure the committee can be launched promptly."