The Korean National Police Agency announced the establishment of a task force on August 5, 2026, to prepare for the implementation of a revised Criminal Procedure Act set to take effect on October 2.
Why it matters: This law will abolish all prosecutorial investigative powers, shifting the responsibility for most criminal investigations to the police. This marks a major change in South Korea's legal framework.
The revised law is focused on separating the functions of investigation and prosecution, effectively eliminating prosecutors' investigative authority.
With this shift, the police will handle all criminal cases, including those reported by victims and cases identified through police work.
The new framework aims to strengthen public trust in law enforcement and protect citizens' rights.
Driving the news: The task force, named the "Task Force for Follow-Up Measures on the Revised Criminal Procedure Act," will operate until the law takes effect on October 2.
Yoo Jae-seong, the acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, will lead the task force.
Other members include the acting Director General for Planning and Coordination, the Investigation Planning and Coordination Officer, the General Affairs and Human Resources Planning Officer, the Inspector General, and the Spokesperson.
The task force will meet weekly to discuss key issues related to the law's implementation.
State of play: The task force's agenda includes reviewing measures to strengthen the fairness of police investigations, enhancing disciplinary actions against police misconduct, increasing investigative personnel and budgets, and revising follow-up regulations.
The task force will also address recommendations from the Police Investigation Reform Committee, which focuses on improving police oversight and accountability.
Weekly meetings will allow the task force to stay updated on the government's initiatives to reinforce police integrity.
These discussions are particularly timely as public scrutiny of police conduct has intensified in recent years.
The big picture: The abolition of prosecutors' investigative powers is seen as a response to calls for greater accountability within the law enforcement system.
Prosecutors will still have the ability to request supplementary investigations from the police, who must complete these within one month.
If necessary, the investigation period can be extended by an additional month.
This collaborative approach aims to maintain checks and balances between the police and prosecution, even as the latter's role diminishes.
What they're saying: Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jae-seong emphasized the importance of a smooth transition to the new system.
"We will commit our efforts to ensuring this new criminal justice system is successfully implemented," Yoo said during a nationwide police leadership videoconference on August 4.
He underscored the need for cooperation between the police and other agencies, including the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.
Yoo also mentioned the necessity of enhancing internal controls to prevent misconduct within the police force.
By the numbers: The task force will operate from August 5 until the law's implementation on October 2, for a total of 8 weeks.
Weekly meetings will facilitate regular updates and discussions on the implementation process.
The task force consists of key police officials, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the law's rollout.
Significant changes to police operations will occur as they assume full responsibility for most criminal investigations.
What's next: The police are committed to ensuring that the revised Criminal Procedure Act leads to enhanced protection of citizens' rights and interests.
The task force will provide regular updates to the public about its progress and the implementation of new measures.
As the October deadline approaches, the police will finalize their strategies to adapt to the new legal environment.
Ongoing training and resources will be allocated to prepare officers for their expanded roles under the new law.
The police agency is determined to make this transition as smooth as possible, with the task force leading the charge in implementing necessary reforms.