Lee calls for police reform to root out cover-ups, irregularities in investigations

President Lee Jae Myung called for comprehensive police reform on Thursday to address potential cover-ups and irregularities in investigations, according to officials. This comes as the police are set to gain increased investigative power following recent revisions to the Criminal Procedure Act. During a meeting with key aides at Cheong Wa Dae, the president emphasized the importance of reform as the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) and the Public Prosecution Service prepare to launch.

These two agencies, part of broader prosecution reform, will separate investigative duties from indictment authority. Prosecutors will now focus solely on indicting and maintaining indictments, while the SCIA will handle investigations into serious crimes such as corruption, defense industry crimes, and insurrection. Lee stressed that the creation of these agencies marks the end of an era where prosecutors combined investigation and indictment duties, often targeting political opponents and engaging in persecution.