Interior ministry's police bureau to be set up as early as July: minister

Interior Minister Lee Sang-min / Yonhap

An envisioned police bureau under the interior ministry will be set up as early as next month, Minister Lee Sang-min said Monday, as it aims to increase its control of the law enforcement agency as part of reform measures.

A police reform advisory committee under the ministry earlier unveiled a set of recommendations, including the creation of the bureau, despite concerns that the move could put the law enforcement agency under political influence.

"The ministry will push forward with establishing a new organization related to police as soon as possible," Lee told reporters, adding that the final plan will be drawn up by July 15.

It would mark the first time in 31 years for the interior ministry to exercise direct control of police since the law enforcement agency was spun off as an outside organization of the ministry in 1991 as part of efforts to ensure its independence and neutrality.

The plan comes as police officers are set to take on more investigative roles from prosecutors under a new law aimed at reducing and ultimately abolishing the prosecution's investigation rights.

The advisory committee recommended giving the interior ministry the right to recommend candidates for top police positions and the interior minister the right to demand disciplinary measures for the chief of the National Police Agency and other senior police officials.

The ministry said the responsibility of commanding and monitoring the agency can be implemented immediately in accordance with a wide range of laws, including the Constitution and the law governing police that guarantees various police responsibilities to the interior minister.

In terms of the bureau taking the job of inspections and disciplinary measures on police officers, Lee said the ministry will push forward to revise a related law after further discussions. (Yonhap)