Migung-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korean National Police Agency /Courtesy of News1

The police officially stated on the 23rd that they will review the abolition of the Police Bureau of the Ministry of Interior and Safety established under the government of Yoon Suk-yeol.

Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young stated at a regular press briefing that day regarding the report on agency work by the National Planning and Advisory Committee on the 20th, "I discussed how to operate the minister's advisory function."

The acting commissioner noted, "I reported on overall police operation issues and major current issues," adding that "various discussions took place regarding the Police Bureau, the realization of the National Police Commission, securing the independence of police investigations, and protection of the socially vulnerable." However, regarding whether the agenda items, such as elevating the Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency to ministerial rank or securing warrant request authority—which are long-standing wishes within the police—were reflected in the report, he stated, "I will inform you once the discussions are clarified."

The Police Bureau disappeared in 1991 when the Korean National Police Agency was separated from the Ministry of Interior (now the Ministry of Interior and Safety). It was revived in 2022 under the Yoon Suk-yeol government after a 31-year hiatus, but both the police and the opposition party opposed it because the Minister directly commands and supervises the police.

President Lee Jae-myung pledged to abolish the Police Bureau and realize the National Police Commission during the presidential election. Members of the National Planning and Advisory Committee also called for the abolition of the Police Bureau, citing the need to enhance the political neutrality of the police and strengthen democratic oversight.

The police also plan to reflect the National Planning and Advisory Committee's demand to "restore personnel disadvantages for those who participated in the meeting opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau to ensure the authenticity of the commitment to abolish the Police Bureau."

In July 2022, a national meeting of police station chiefs attended by 190 police chiefs, about one-third of the total, was held. The chief who led it, Ryu Sam-young, received a three-month suspension and resigned. Additionally, a controversy over retaliatory personnel actions arose regarding the attendees of the following year's meeting that was led by the chief at that time.

The acting commissioner stated regarding the "order for restoration of personnel disadvantages for attendees of the meeting opposing the Police Bureau" that, "It was something that happened two years ago, but we plan to review and examine it closely."