Police Reform Task Force Officially Launches as "Investigation Reform Committee"... First Agenda: "Jang Yun-gi Case"

The task force (TF) established to enhance public trust in police investigations has officially renamed itself the "Police Investigation Reform Committee for Enhancing Public Trust" (Investigation Reform Committee) and is commencing its activities in earnest. The first agenda item for the committee will be the "Jang Yun-gi case," which has come under scrutiny for alleged mishandling and cover-up during the investigation process.

National Investigation Headquarters, Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency. Yonhap News Agency

On July 27, the National Police Agency held an inaugural ceremony for the Investigation Reform Committee in the conference room of the National Investigation Headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, awarding letters of appointment to external committee members. The committee will be chaired by Namjoon Kim, attorney at law firm Simin. External members include Dongho Yoon, professor of law at Kookmin University; Mirang Park, professor of police studies at Hannam University; Younghoon Jeong, attorney at law firm Jeongse; and Soonyeol Cho, president of the Seoul Bar Association and attorney at law firm Moonmoo. Internal members are Seungryeol Yoo, Investigation Planning and Coordination Officer; Mikyung Lee, Scientific Investigation Review Officer; and Jooeun Jo, Officer for Women's Safety and School Violence Countermeasures. The committee also plans to appoint additional members with expertise in victim protection in the near future.

At its inaugural meeting held today, the committee discussed how it will be organized and operated, the makeup of its members, and major agenda items. Regular weekly meetings will be held, and input will be solicited from frontline police officers and victim advocacy groups.

At the meeting scheduled for August 3, the committee will be briefed on issues concerning the investigative process in the so-called "Jang Yun-gi case" and plans to review the case with a focus on structural problems within the police organization. Discussions are also expected on measures to prevent recurrence and ways to improve existing systems.

Subsequently, on August 6, the committee will hold a meeting with representatives from the National Sexual Violence Counseling Centers Association to gather opinions regarding the protection of victims of relational crimes. The committee plans to incorporate input from various stakeholders, including victims of everyday crimes, frontline police officers, and field experts, into their policy recommendations.

Chairman Kim stated, "I will do my best to communicate a variety of opinions aimed at improving police investigations to the National Police Agency and, together with the committee members, ensure that these recommendations are thoroughly reflected in practice."

Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jaeseong of the National Police Agency said, "We will humbly accept the committee's diverse suggestions and recommendations to improve the practices of police investigations and increase public trust, and we will provide full administrative and institutional support to ensure these reforms take root in the field."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.