Lee says police will be biggest power, stresses need for reform by gov't body

president-police reform

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| 2026-08-25 10:54:41

▲ President Lee Jae Myung attends a Cabinet meeting on Aug. 25, 2026. (Pool Photo) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday the police will soon wield the greatest power among government agencies, calling for the formation of a government body to be in charge of police reform.

The president made the remarks at a Cabinet meeting following the recent passage of a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which, when enacted, will completely strip the prosecution of all investigative authority, leaving such power solely to the police.

They also come after the discovery of the presumed body of a woman reported missing on the southern Jeju Island. A police officer on Jeju reportedly closed the missing person case without confirming her whereabouts or safety, prompting a public outcry over lax police investigations.

"As there is skepticism about whether (police) are qualified to exercise their great authority, I hope (the government) will consider how to reform the police, how to establish a (government) body" that will oversee police reform, Lee said.

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