(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on Sept. 29)

The revised Criminal Procedure Act, set to take effect, will grant police sweeping authority over criminal investigations, marking a major shift in Korea's criminal justice system after 72 years. However, concerns have emerged regarding the potential for favoritism and corruption within this new investigative force. Former police officers and affiliated groups may wield undue influence, compromising investigations through preferential treatment of former officers and facilitating informal inquiries.

Despite rules prohibiting private contact with retired officers, loopholes have allowed police officers at lower ranks who hold law licenses to evade employment screening, creating potential conflicts of interest. A proposed bill to prevent such favoritism was rejected by police, who remain unwilling to give up post-retirement opportunities.

With increased investigative power comes the need for stronger accountability measures, such as more stringent disclosure requirements for contacts between investigators and former officers, enforceable rules for outside approaches to pending cases, and enhanced employment screening to prevent personal networks from influencing investigations.

Without these safeguards, Korea risks replacing one concentration of investigative power with another.