Police case mishandling probes surge, penalties rare
More than 350 officers have faced investigations or discipline since 2021, but nearly 78 percent received only warnings, cautions or no action.
Kim Jong-chul, acting commissioner general of the National Police Agency, center, makes a salute during a leadership meeting held in western Seoul on Sept. 3.
NEWS1
More than 350 police officers have been investigated or disciplined for mishandling cases over the past five years, but few received serious disciplinary action.
A total of 355 police officers were investigated or referred for disciplinary action for mishandling cases between 2021 and last year, according to data submitted by the National Police Agency to People Power Party lawmaker Kim Yea-ji on Tuesday.
The number rose steadily from 26 in 2021 to 41 in 2022, 64 in 2023, 68 in 2024 and 76 last year.
Another 80 officers were investigated in the first six months of this year alone — more than in any full year since 2021.
By region, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency had the most with 98, followed by South Chungcheong with 48, Incheon with 38, Gyeonggi Bukbu with 21 and Seoul with 20. Gyeonggi Nambu and Bukbu oversee the southern and northern parts of the province, respectively.
Despite the hundreds of cases, only a handful of officers received stern disciplinary action, such as dismissal, removal, demotion or suspension.
Serious disciplinary action was imposed on just 11 officers: one was dismissed, one was demoted and nine were suspended. Lighter penalties were given to 28 officers, including 10 pay cuts and 17 reprimands.
In contrast, 193 officers received cautions or warnings rather than disciplinary penalties, while 82 cases were closed without disciplinary action. Nondisciplinary measures, including cautions, warnings and case closures, accounted for 77.5 percent of all cases.
“The steady rise in officers investigated or disciplined for improper case handling requires the National Police Agency to closely examine the causes and ensure that unjustified case closures are not repeated,” Rep. Kim said. “As the investigative system evolves, the police must take greater responsibility for their investigations and strengthen mechanisms for people to seek remedies when their rights are violated.”
The National Police Agency issued a 10-day special alert on internal discipline through Sunday and stepped up personnel inspections after a series of improper case-handling incidents, including the premature closure of missing persons cases in Jeju.
BY JUNG SI-NAE [[email protected]]
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
