Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the urgent need for police reform during a Cabinet meeting, following the recent legislative changes positioning the police as the most powerful government agency. The call for reform comes in the wake of a controversial revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which will remove all investigative authority from the prosecution, granting it exclusively to the police.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee's remarks were sparked by public outrage over a mishandled missing person case on Jeju Island, where a police officer prematurely closed the investigation without ensuring the safety of the missing woman. This incident has intensified scrutiny on the police's capacity to responsibly handle their impending authority.
"As there is skepticism about whether (police) are qualified to exercise their great authority, I hope (the government) will consider how to reform the police, how to establish a (government) body" that will oversee police reform, Lee said. He directed the prime minister's office to gather public input and develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of the proposed oversight body.
President Lee expressed concerns over the concentration of power within the police, stating, "Power, when concentrated, always creates problems. The level of responsibility should be strengthened to match the extent of the authority." He urged for a systemic overhaul to address issues of irresponsibility highlighted by recent public safety cases.
Furthermore, President Lee addressed economic strategies, advocating for a "productive finance strategy" to foster future growth and cautioning against an excessive focus on financial management metrics. He linked this to anticipated tax revenue increases from a burgeoning AI-driven semiconductor industry.
The president also pressed for expedited legislative action to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 13 for serious crimes, reflecting a trend of increasing juvenile criminal activity. He stressed the importance of enacting this law swiftly after further public consultation.
Additionally, President Lee responded to grievances from small business owners over escalating delivery app commission fees, urging officials to tackle the "de facto monopoly" in the market and promote competitive practices.
The Cabinet meeting concluded with the approval of a legal revision imposing stricter penalties, including up to three years of imprisonment for employers penalizing employees who report the illegal receipt of state subsidies. This marks a significant increase from the existing penalty of a maximum 10 million won fine (approximately US$7,228).