Police to strengthen whistleblower protections following investigative authority reform

The Korean National Police Agency announced on Monday plans to bolster whistleblower protections and internal oversight as part of its ongoing reform efforts following a recent legal revision that grants investigative authority solely to the police. The agency stated that the primary objective is to foster a culture of confidence among officers to report wrongdoing without fear of repercussions.

At the Korean National Police Commission earlier in the day, the measures were reviewed and approved. To safeguard the identities of whistleblowers, the agency intends to allow reports to be submitted through legal representatives. Furthermore, the agency is collaborating with other entities to explore methods for covering the legal expenses of whistleblowers.

In an attempt to incentivize more whistleblowing, the maximum financial payout has been increased to 100 million won ($70,497) from the present 27 million won. This enhancement in compensation is expected to encourage individuals to come forward with information about legal violations.

The announcement coincides with the passage of a revised Criminal Procedure Act by the National Assembly last month. This legislation, which has been signed into law, removes investigative authority from the hands of other agencies and assigns it exclusively to the police.