(3rd LD) Lee says police will be biggest power, stresses need for reform by gov't body

President Lee Jae Myung stated on Tuesday that the police will soon be the most powerful among government agencies, calling for the creation of a government body to oversee police reform. This comes after the recent passage of a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which will strip the prosecution of all investigative authority, leaving it solely to the police.

The president made these remarks at a Cabinet meeting following the discovery of a presumed body of a woman reported missing on Jeju Island, which sparked public outcry over police investigations. Lee expressed concerns about the qualifications of police to exercise such great authority, and requested the government to consider how to reform the police and establish a body to oversee reform.

The president also emphasized the need to strengthen responsibility to match the extent of authority. Turning to other issues, Lee urged officials not to focus excessively on managing financial figures, and called for a productive finance strategy aimed at promoting future growth. The president also expressed hope for a prompt conclusion on lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility and addressed complaints from small business owners about rising delivery app platform fees, instructing officials to consider measures to increase competition in the market.