The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), also known as the Korean National Police (KNP), is one of the national police organizations in South Korea. It is run under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and is headquartered in Seodaemun, Seoul. The agency is divided into 18 local police agencies, including the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Local police agencies are not independent of the national police.
The origins of Korean Police organization date to the Police Department of Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. After the Division of Korea in 1945, the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK) created the Police Administration Bureau under its command, and established a police department in every province, relying upon the police force from the colonial period to maintain law and order. A Bureau of National Security was established in 1948 before its demise in 1974.
The present-day agency was created in 1991, reshuffling the National Security Headquarters in the Ministry of Home Affairs () to the National Police Agency.
History
Before 1945
The origins of the Korean Police organization is the Police Department () of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. The bylaws of the Korean Provisional Government promulgated on April 25, 1919, stipulated the roles and responsibilities of the Police Bureau under the Provisional Government. The first Commissioner General of the Police Bureau was Kim Gu, who laid the foundation for the Korean police force. Police of the Provisional Government guarded key figures in the government and government office building, as well as maintaining public security in the oversea Koreans society.
In 1923, Kim Gu established the neighborhood patrol force () in the Shanghai group of overseas Koreans. Its mission was to maintain public security in the Korean society of Shanghai. This organization was later renamed to the Korean Patriotic Organization, a secret organization that aimed to assassinate prominent Japanese figures of the Empire of Japan.
1945–1948: Period of the Police Administration Department
On August 15, 1945, after subsequent liberation of Korea and division of Korea, the United States Army established the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMIGK). Under the USAMIGK government, the Police Administration Bureau (; Hanja: 警務部) was established, directed by Lawrence E. Schick, and established a police department in every province in 21 October. This police organization was formed with 2,000 officers, most were former police in the colonial government. The first Korean Director of the National Police Department was Chough Pyung-ok, with his term beginning on 21 October.
In 1946, the Police Administration Bureau (; Hanja: 警務部) was promoted into the Department of Police Affairs. In March 5, the police department launched the Railway Provincial Police Division, which was eventually abolished in 1949. During this period, Korean police were deployed to conflicts such as the Autumn Uprising of 1946 and the Jeju uprising between 1948 and 1949. The First Republic of Korea was founded on 15 August 1948 and Syngman Rhee became the first President of Korea following the May 1948 general election. The Bureau of National Security () is established under the Minister of the Internal Affair.
1948–1974: Period of the Bureau of National Security
On 14 November 1948, the Bureau of National Security is established after the transfer of Police Administration Bureau. On November 18, the police agency is established in every South Korea city and province.
When the Korean War broke out in 1950, Korean police were engaged in the war. The Police Battle Force headquarters was established in Taebaek and Jiri Mountain. On 25 June 1950, around 3:00 AM, a police officer of Gangneung city, Jeon Daeuk, became the first combat casualty of the Korean War. In the whole period of the war, 10,618 officers were killed and 6,760 were injured. Some police engaged in wartime massacres, like Bodo League massacre. Kim Tae Sun, the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police, admitted to personally executing at least 12 "communists and suspected communists" after the outbreak of the war.
After the Korean War armistice was signed on 27 July 1953. On 14 December 1953, the Policeman's Duties Execution Law was established, which regulated the duties of Korean police officers.
In 1955, the National Institute of Scientific Inspection Service is established, now known as the National Forensic Service. In 1967, the Combat Police Squads are launched in every city and province.