Hastily Reshuffled After President Lee's Remarks
The Notion of Police Omnipotence Is Unrealistic
The National Police Workplace Council (Police Council) on August 19 criticized, "The plan to establish a Serious Accident Investigation Team must be immediately reconsidered," adding, "There are significant concerns that dispersing the police's limited personnel and resources will undermine core public safety activities and increase overall inefficiency."
President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at the National Planning Committee Public Report Conference held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News
In a press release issued on the same day, the Police Council stated, "Work related to industrial accidents falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Ministry of Employment and Labor," and urged, "Prevent unnecessary confusion by clearly dividing roles with relevant agencies."
The Police Council pointed out, "Although the scope of police investigations has greatly expanded following the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and the prosecution, corresponding increases in personnel and support remain insufficient," adding, "Field units are already suffering from chronic manpower shortages and excessive caseloads."
The Police Council further stated, "During the investigation into the Osong underpass flooding accident, the 138-member investigation headquarters, which included a specialized safety accident investigation team, was disbanded and reduced to a smaller investigation team. The leadership, which previously downsized the existing investigative capacity, is now hastily forming a Serious Accident Investigation Team immediately after President Lee Jae Myung's remarks. This is nothing more than a makeshift organizational reshuffle," adding, "The notion of police omnipotence is an unrealistic idea of taking on every social problem."
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