South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday, 25 August declared that the police are on course to become the most powerful agency in the country's government, and called for the creation of a dedicated oversight body to drive police reform. The remarks, delivered at a Cabinet meeting in Seoul, follow the recent passage of a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act that would strip the prosecution of all investigative authority and concentrate it entirely within the police.

What the Criminal Procedure Act Revision Changes

The newly passed revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, once enacted, will completely remove the prosecution's investigative powers, leaving the police as the sole investigative authority in South Korea. President Lee acknowledged the gravity of this shift, noting that 'the public is greatly concerned about the change.' He stressed that with concentrated power comes an equal obligation of accountability, saying, 'Power, when concentrated, always creates problems. The level of responsibility should be strengthened to match the extent of the authority.'

Jeju Island Case Triggers Public Outcry

The president's call for reform comes against the backdrop of a troubling incident on Jeju Island, where the presumed body of a woman — who had been reported missing — was discovered. A police officer on Jeju had reportedly closed the missing person case without confirming the woman's whereabouts or safety, sparking widespread public anger over what critics called lax and irresponsible police investigations. Lee directly referenced 'recent serious public safety cases revealing irresponsibility' of the police, insisting that 'unrelenting efforts should be made to minimise these problems and the system needs to be overhauled.'

What the Government Has Been Asked to Do

President Lee specifically directed the prime minister's office to gather public input and formulate a concrete plan for establishing the proposed oversight body. He expressed hope that the government would 'consider how to reform the police, how to establish a (government) body' to oversee that reform. The president's scepticism was clear: he questioned whether the police are currently 'qualified to exercise their great authority,' signalling that institutional restructuring is a priority before the new law takes full effect.

Budget, Economy, and Criminal Responsibility Also on the Agenda

The Cabinet meeting also addressed fiscal planning, with Lee urging a 'productive finance strategy' focused on long-term growth rather than short-term management of financial figures. His remarks came as the government and the National Assembly prepare to finalise next year's budget, amid an anticipated rise in tax revenues driven by a semiconductor boom linked to the growth of artificial intelligence (AI). The president called for strengthening industrial competitiveness and reducing asset polarisation, saying the government must 'bring about tangible improvement in people's lives.'

Separately, Lee instructed officials to expedite a revision to the minimum age of criminal responsibility, currently set at 14 years. The government is weighing a reduction of that threshold by one year for 'serious crimes,' amid a rise in adolescent offending. Lee called for a 'prompt conclusion' on the matter after a fresh round of public consultation.

What Comes Next

The immediate focus will be on the prime minister's office producing a framework for the proposed police oversight body, incorporating public feedback. Simultaneously, the enacted Criminal Procedure Act revision — once it clears remaining procedural steps — will fundamentally reshape South Korea's law enforcement landscape. How quickly the government can build credible oversight mechanisms will determine whether the transfer of investigative power to the police commands public trust.