South Korea to Form Police Reform Panel Ahead of Investigation Overhaul

South Korea will establish a police reform committee under the prime minister’s office as the country prepares for a major redistribution of criminal justice powers, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Tuesday.

The committee and a supporting task force will focus on building what Han described as a responsible and fair policing system. Their creation comes ahead of an October 2 change under which police will assume responsibility for all criminal investigations, while prosecutors will be limited to bringing indictments and will no longer be able to initiate investigations themselves.

The shift is a central part of the government’s broader prosecution reform program. It also places greater weight on police capacity, internal controls and accountability because investigators will have a more decisive role in determining how cases are developed before any charging decision.

At a Cabinet meeting in Sejong, Han said the roles and responsibilities of the police would be of paramount importance under the new structure. She said the government would work to ensure that the police regain public trust and operate as an institution serving the public.

The transition has prompted concern that weaknesses in police investigations could become harder to correct once prosecutors lose their independent investigative authority. Under the current system, prosecutors have at times supplemented or corrected police work, and critics worry that removing that function could create gaps in case handling or the protection of citizens’ rights.

Public anxiety has also been sharpened by recent misconduct cases. In one episode cited in discussion of the reform, a police officer closed two missing-person cases without confirming that the people involved were safe. Both were later found dead. The case intensified questions about supervision, professional standards and the mechanisms available to review investigative decisions.

Han asked the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to help the new system settle quickly and prevent gaps in the protection of people’s rights and interests. The proposed committee’s work is therefore expected to address not only operational readiness but also safeguards capable of supporting public confidence as police authority expands.

The overhaul marks a significant institutional change in South Korean law enforcement. Its early implementation will be closely watched for whether investigations remain effective, charging decisions are supported by sound evidence, and accountability keeps pace with the concentration of investigative power in the police.