President Lee calls for police reform and accountability

At the 81st Police Day ceremony in Seoul, President Lee emphasized that the expansion of police investigative powers must be met with increased responsibility and democratic control. Addressing recent concerns regarding public trust following various crimes, Lee urged the police force to undergo “bone-cutting” reforms to correct wrong practices and ensure that investigative processes are strictly monitored.

The President called for a strategic shift from reactive responses to proactive prevention, particularly concerning stalking and indiscriminate crimes. He also directed law enforcement to strictly investigate livelihood crimes, such as rental fraud and investment scams, while ensuring the recovery of illegal profits. To support these efforts, Lee encouraged the rapid implementation of next-generation AI-based emergency response systems.

In response to political discussions regarding the leadership of the police, Lee defended the inclusion of heads of investigative agencies in cabinet meetings, citing constitutional and government organization laws. Meanwhile, political leaders have urged the administration to expedite the appointment of a new National Police Agency chief to stabilize the organization.