By Rachel Lee
President Moon Jae-in vowed, Friday, to resolve a longstanding row over investigative power between the police and the prosecution next year to better serve the people and protect their rights.
"The government will help the two institutions reach a consensus on their own, but if necessary, we will create a neutral panel to mediate an agreement," Moon said at a ceremony marking the 72nd National Police Day, which falls on Saturday.
The thorny issue between the police and the prosecution over separating investigative and prosecutorial powers has gone on for nearly 20 years.
The prosecution has been criticized for abusing its power and being political in its work _ prosecutors decide whether to investigate cases themselves or by directing the police to do so. The police say their roles should be redefined so they can initiate investigations and the prosecutors come in at the indictment stage.
The reform plan to split the rights between the two was one of Moon's campaign pledges. The plan will give more power to police by allowing them to them to carry out independent investigations. The police are currently restricted from investigating without prosecutors' supervision.
The President also promised to prepare an autonomous local police system, which was also one of his election pledges, to meet the demands of local residents for public security services.
He cited the Jeju municipal police, which have been in force for 12th years, as an example to learn from.
The President called for responsible follow-up steps for human rights violations by the police last month, which Moon called the "last chance given by the people" to earn trust and honor.
"I will completely guarantee the independence and political neutrality of the police. I hope the police will work for the people only," Moon said.
Moon emphasized that protecting the security and lives of people should be the police's top priority.
"Police should not overextend their force in dealing with protests," he said, asking police to focus on public security by working to make demonstrations peaceful.
Moon also asked the police to protect the disadvantaged, including children, women and the disabled.
President Moon also urged the police to reinforce their response capabilities to terrorist attacks ahead of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.
The government will expand support and treatment for those killed or injured on the job and make sure the police get treated for the work they have done, Moon said.
President Moon Jae-in vowed, Friday, to resolve a longstanding row over investigative power between the police and the prosecution next year to better serve the people and protect their rights.
"The government will help the two institutions reach a consensus on their own, but if necessary, we will create a neutral panel to mediate an agreement," Moon said at a ceremony marking the 72nd National Police Day, which falls on Saturday.
The thorny issue between the police and the prosecution over separating investigative and prosecutorial powers has gone on for nearly 20 years.
The prosecution has been criticized for abusing its power and being political in its work _ prosecutors decide whether to investigate cases themselves or by directing the police to do so. The police say their roles should be redefined so they can initiate investigations and the prosecutors come in at the indictment stage.
The reform plan to split the rights between the two was one of Moon's campaign pledges. The plan will give more power to police by allowing them to them to carry out independent investigations. The police are currently restricted from investigating without prosecutors' supervision.
The President also promised to prepare an autonomous local police system, which was also one of his election pledges, to meet the demands of local residents for public security services.
He cited the Jeju municipal police, which have been in force for 12th years, as an example to learn from.
The President called for responsible follow-up steps for human rights violations by the police last month, which Moon called the "last chance given by the people" to earn trust and honor.
"I will completely guarantee the independence and political neutrality of the police. I hope the police will work for the people only," Moon said.
Moon emphasized that protecting the security and lives of people should be the police's top priority.
"Police should not overextend their force in dealing with protests," he said, asking police to focus on public security by working to make demonstrations peaceful.
Moon also asked the police to protect the disadvantaged, including children, women and the disabled.
President Moon also urged the police to reinforce their response capabilities to terrorist attacks ahead of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.
The government will expand support and treatment for those killed or injured on the job and make sure the police get treated for the work they have done, Moon said.
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