Representatives of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, the government and presidential office met this morning to discuss reforming the police organization to prevent it from becoming too powerful.<br />The issue has become a political hot potato after the National Assembly fast-tracked a bill that calls for dividing investigative rights between the prosecution and police.<br />The three sides said,.... the plan is not about empowering a particular organization,... but instead being able to keep each side in check,... and better protect people's rights and interests.<br />They also vowed to come up with extra legislation to ensure the police's increased authority is not abused.<br />The proposal calls for achieving a power balance -- with police to be given the authority to close cases,... independent of the prosecution. <br />At present, police cannot close a case without approval from the prosecution.... while investigations are also overseen by a prosecutor. <br />
