ABSTRACT
Since its establishment in 1894, the Korean police force has experienced significant challenges and struggles, mainly because of the colonization of the Korean Peninsula by Japan (1901-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), and subsequent political instability. As in other politically unstable countries, the authority and power of the police in South Korea has frequently been abused as a political instrument to suppress political opponents and restrain citizens (Hoffman, 1982; Moon, 2004). During several periods, military personnel were heavily involved in national political matters and with the criminal justice system, including the police. Various torture techniques and harsh maltreatment against political opponents and citizens were used, resulting in pervasive human right violations, and police brutality and corruption (Heo, 1998; Nahm, 1988; Pyo, 2001a; Vreeland et al., 1975). Unfortunately but expectedly, the legitimate role of the police to enforce the law and protect peace and public order was largely neglected in some periods. Serious questions about police political neutrality, fairness, and professionalism led to public-police antagonism and compromised police authority (Heo, 1998; Moon and Zager, 2007; Nahm, 1988; Vreeland et al., 1975).
