Yu Jaesung, Acting Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated on the 21st that he agrees with Minister of the Interior and Safety nominee Yoon Hojoong's assertion regarding the need to expand the dual system of autonomous police currently being implemented in Jeju.
At a regular press briefing that day, Acting Commissioner Yu said, "This could be one way to address concerns about the excessive concentration of police power and to strengthen democracy and decentralization."
He added, "However, since police activities have a direct impact on the daily lives of citizens, it is important to widely gather opinions from both the public and frontline police officers during the discussion process."
Regarding the Democratic Party's proposal of a legislative amendment to open the position of Commissioner General of the National Police Agency to external professions such as judges and prosecutors, Acting Commissioner Yu said, "I have not given that matter much thought," and added, "There is no official position on this yet."
Previously, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sangsik had proposed an amendment to the "Act on the Organization and Operation of the National Police and Autonomous Police" to designate the Commissioner General position as an open position. The bill would grant eligibility for appointment to the following: judges, prosecutors, or lawyers with more than 15 years of experience; senior officials engaged in security affairs and public officials of grade 2 or higher with more than 15 years of experience; and professors in the fields of law or police studies with more than 15 years of experience at universities or accredited research institutions.
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