What changes are coming to police and prosecutors under South Korea’s new law enforcement system?

Starting Oct. 2, police will handle all investigations. Prosecutors will be limited to indictment and will not be able to conduct investigations on their own.

Why is the government creating a police reform committee under the prime minister’s office?

Han Seong-sook said the committee and a task force are meant to build a responsible and fair policing system. She said the government also wants police to regain public trust and become a police force for the people.

What concerns did Han Seong-sook raise about giving police broader investigative powers?

Concerns have grown that problems could arise if police conduct all investigations, because prosecutors have sometimes made up for shortcomings in police work. Those worries were deepened by recent police misconduct cases, including an officer who closed two missing person cases without confirming the people’s safety.

PM stresses importance of police roles under new law enforcement system

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Summary

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Tuesday in Sejong that a police reform committee will be established under her office as the government prepares for a new law enforcement system. Starting Oct. 2, police will handle all investigations while prosecutors will be limited to indictments. Han said the government wants a responsible and fair policing system and warned there must be no gaps in protecting people’s rights and interests.

Key Facts

The reform takes effect on Oct. 2, when police will assume responsibility for all investigations.
Prosecutors will be limited to indictment and will no longer have the power to conduct investigations on their own.
Han said the government will create both a police reform committee and a task force within the prime minister’s office.
The Cabinet meeting was held at the government complex in Sejong.
Han asked the justice ministry and the interior ministry to help the new system take root early.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 22, 2026 10:22 am KST

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the government complex in the central administrative city of Sejong, Tuesday. Yonhap

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Tuesday that a police reform committee will be established under her office to ensure a responsible and fair policing system as the law enforcement agency is set to take on greater roles according to the government's sweeping prosecution reform.

Starting Oct. 2, the police will assume responsibility for all investigations, while the prosecution's role will be limited to indictment without the power to conduct investigations on its own.

The reform has raised concerns negative effects could arise if police conduct all investigations as the prosecution has made up for shortfalls in police investigations.

Such concerns have deepened in the wake of a series of police misconduct incidents in recent months, including shocking revelations that an officer closed two missing person cases without confirming their safety. The two were ultimately found dead.

"Under the new system, the roles and responsibilities of police are of paramount importance," Han said during a Cabinet meeting held at the government complex in the central administrative city of Sejong. "The government will establish a police reform committee and a task force within the prime minister's office to establish a responsible and fair policing system."

The government will ensure that police regain trust from the public and are reborn as a police force for the people, Han said, asking the justice ministry and the interior ministry to make sure the new system takes root at an early date so that there will be no gaps in protecting the people's rights and interests.

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