National Police Agency Agrees with Abolition of Police Bureau, Citing Lack of Legal and Democratic Legitimacy

Efforts to Restore the Honor of Senior Superintendents Who Attended the Meeting

The National Police Agency stated on June 29, "The Police Bureau established under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety undermines the neutrality and independence of the police, and is an organization lacking legal and democratic legitimacy, as it was created solely by presidential decree without explicit legal grounds in higher statutes."

The National Police Agency expressed strong agreement with the government's pledge to abolish the Police Bureau, stating, "There was insufficient consultation with the police during the establishment process, and the matter was not reviewed or decided by the National Police Commission, resulting in a lack of procedural legitimacy."

The National Police Agency also said, "The meeting of senior superintendents held in July 2022 to share concerns about the establishment of the Police Bureau and to discuss measures for democratic oversight must be respected," adding, "We deeply regret that the participants suffered personnel disadvantages, and we will work to restore their honor."

The National Police Agency announced, "We will restore the exhibition stand for the meeting of senior superintendents that was previously displayed in the history hall on the first floor of the Police Human Resources Development Institute, and we plan to include the events of the meeting as a historical record in the History of Korean Police, which is being written this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the police."

The National Police Agency stated, "We will respect the dedication of the participants in the meeting of senior superintendents who committed themselves to maintaining political neutrality, and will ensure fair and reasonable personnel decisions that comprehensively consider performance, competence, and career experience, without any further disadvantages."