What is the new police reform body in South Korea, and why is it being created now?

The police said the body is being launched this week to push for sweeping reform of the police. The move comes as calls for reform grow after a legal revision that will transfer prosecutors investigative authority to the police and after criticism over the Jeju missing person case.

What did Kim Jong-chul order police officers to do after becoming acting head of the KNPA?

Kim Jong-chul said officers in the field must be well aware of the revised investigation procedures. He also instructed officials to make sure all police officers receive enough training this month to familiarize themselves with the revised Criminal Procedure Act.

Police to launch dedicated body for reform this week

Q: How has the Jeju missing person case affected calls for police reform in South Korea?

The case intensified reform calls after a police officer was found to have prematurely closed multiple missing person cases without confirming the safety of those reported missing. It became a symbol of police misconduct as authorities face broader scrutiny over how they handle missing person cases.

Listen

Summary

Police will launch a dedicated body this week to push sweeping reforms, amid pressure from a legal revision that will shift prosecutors’ investigative authority to the police. The move follows criticism over a Jeju missing person case in which a police officer was found to have prematurely closed several cases. Acting police chief Kim Jong-chul has ordered all officers to receive training this month on revised investigation procedures, while President Lee Jae Myung has stressed the need for police reform.

Key Facts

The new body will be launched this week, and the police said details will be announced later.
The revised Criminal Procedure Act will strip prosecutors of their investigative authority and give police greater responsibility for criminal investigations.
Kim Jong-chul, the new acting head of the Korean National Police Agency, said field officers must understand the revised investigation procedures.
Kim instructed officials to ensure all police officers receive sufficient training this month on the revised Criminal Procedure Act.
President Lee Jae Myung said the police will soon wield more power than any other government agency.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 6, 2026 3:10 pm KST

Kim Jong-chul, center, the new acting head of the Korean National Police Agency, and other police commanders read the Police Charter during a police leadership meeting at the Korean National Police Agency in Seoul, Sept. 3. Yonhap

A new dedicated body will be launched this week to push for sweeping reforms of the police, the police said Sunday, amid growing calls for such a move following a legal revision that will transfer prosecutors' investigative authority to the police.

Calls for police reform have also grown following controversy over a missing person case on the southern island of Jeju in which a police officer was found to have prematurely closed multiple missing person cases without confirming the safety of those reported missing.

"This is to keep our promise to fundamentally reform the police," the agency said in a press notice, adding that details will be announced later.

The notice came after Kim Jong-chul, the new acting head of the Korean National Police Agency, was briefed by senior officials on key pending issues over the weekend.

"It is important that police officers in the field are well aware of the revised investigation procedures," Kim said.

He also instructed officials to ensure that all police officers receive sufficient training this month to familiarize themselves with the revised Criminal Procedure Act, which will strip the prosecution of its investigative authority.

President Lee Jae Myung has stressed the need for police reform, saying the police will soon wield more power than any other government agency.

Explore More