First National Police Agency audit since sweeping criminal justice overhaul; shoddy and delayed police investigations under fire

[Financial News] At the first National Police Agency audit since the amended Criminal Procedure Act took effect, inadequate and biased police investigations and delays in investigations came under intense scrutiny. A full reinvestigation and an internal inspection of the investigative team at the time were raised as possibilities in connection with allegations of false credentials involving lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's daughter. Concerns were also raised about the operation of the organization as the vacancy in the National Police Agency chief's post, with an acting chief in place, continued for an extended period. The police said they would emphasize accountability commensurate with their expanded investigative authority while strengthening investigative expertise and internal controls.
At the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency on the 12th, Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Kim Jong-cheol responded to Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Yoon Geon-yeong's call for a full reinvestigation into allegations of false credentials involving lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's daughter, saying, "I believe we followed the procedures in accordance with the law and principles, but I will not rule out that possibility if new facts emerge."
Lawmaker Yoon said, "For one year and eight months, there wasn't a single search warrant, and no witnesses were questioned," and criticized the investigation, asking, "Does investigating only the person who filed the complaint count as an investigation over one year and eight months? If this wasn't an investigation that went easy on them, what was it?" In response, Acting Commissioner Kim said of the investigative approach at the time, "It's difficult to say, but I think more proactive investigative efforts may have been needed." He also responded, "I will look into it," when Jung Chun-saeng of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party called for an internal inspection of the officials involved in the investigation at the time.
Delays in police investigations of major cases also became an issue. DPK lawmaker Lee Sang-sik raised the case involving lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi and pressed the agency, asking, "Why is this taking so long? Are you perhaps watching your step around those in power?" Lee also pointed out that the investigation into the case involving HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk had been ongoing for 22 months. On the differences between prosecutors and police over the charges to be applied, Hong Seok-gi, chief of the National Office of Investigation, explained, "The assessments made by prosecutors and police simply differed," adding, "Ultimately, the case has been referred to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Capital Markets Act, in line with the police's assessment."
Questions also continued over delays in the investigation into the Coupang personal information leak. Acting Commissioner Kim said the police were consulting with their Chinese counterparts regarding the leak and continuing to verify related details through international cooperation.
Concerns were also voiced over the prolonged vacancy in the National Police Agency chief's post. People Power Party lawmaker Kang Myeong-gu criticized the fact that the National Assembly audit was being held under an acting chief this year, as it was last year, saying, "Operating under an acting chief is not normal organizational management in itself." He also urged the government to provide an official explanation for why it was delaying the appointment of a new National Police Agency chief.
People Power Party lawmaker Park Deok-heum also expressed concern over the delay in appointing a National Police Agency chief. When Park asked whether the acting leadership was causing problems in the agency's operations, Acting Commissioner Kim replied, "There are no particular problems in handling current matters."
Concerns were also raised about measures to secure investigative personnel and expertise. DPK lawmaker Yang Bu-nam stressed the need for an accurate assessment of the investigative workload and for securing specialized personnel. In response, Acting Commissioner Kim said, "We are reallocating personnel from non-investigative departments and mobile units through an organizational assessment," adding, "We are also providing training to strengthen expertise and using AI tools for investigative support to improve staffing efficiency."
The appropriateness of searches and seizures at medical facilities also came under scrutiny. People Power Party lawmaker Seo Myeong-ok raised concerns that a police search and seizure at the pediatric emergency center of Ajou University Hospital on the 30th of last month, as part of an investigation into an infant's death, could disrupt patient care, and called for separate investigative guidelines. Acting Commissioner Kim said, "There must be no sacred cows in investigations," while adding that the police would consult with relevant agencies on guidelines as long as doing so did not compromise the integrity of investigative materials.
The protection of human rights during police investigations was also raised. Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in cited the case of the sexual assault of a part-time worker in Ansan, in which the victim died after police decided not to refer the case to prosecutors, and criticized the investigation as inadequate. In particular, when she called for a specialized investigative manual for quasi-rape cases, Acting Commissioner Kim said, "We will prepare a comprehensive manual for quasi-rape cases."
[email protected] Kim Ye-ji Reporter