[12] 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.

At the same time, as part of the reforms for the organizations of the National Security Headquarter, police abolished the Director General for Public Peace and Defense and installed the first, the second, the third department.

[12] In this period, South Korea president Park Chung-hee assumed dictatorial power in the October Restoration and took emergency measures.

An Boeng-ha, Commissioner General of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency, rejected the order of the military regime to shoot citizens.

[12] In 1987, Park Jong-chol, the president of the student council in the linguistics department of Seoul National University, was detained during an investigation into against Chun Doo-hwan's dictatorship and the aftermath of the 1980 Gwangju Massacre activities.

[24] Due to this movement, called the June Struggle, the military regime of President Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo acceded to the key demands of direct presidential elections and restoration of civil liberties.

[12] The Korean National Police Agency consists of one Deputy Commissioner General, eight bureaus, nine offices and thirty-two divisions.

As of 2019[update], Tourist Police centers were set up in the Seoul Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Itaewon, Busan Nampo-dong, Incheon International Airport.

Now, the police instead use modern tactical clear plastic shields and deploy high-powered water cannons to minimize civilian injuries.

[citation needed] Instances of police brutality have in the past been raised against the South Korean anti-riot units in particular by the Asian Human Rights Commission, citing police actions of a "brutal and violent manner" that cause the deaths of protesters, including Jeon Young-Cheol on 24 November 2005.

The police force themselves reported that 117 officers were injured in a confrontation with 70 protesters, after being hit "with shards of broken bottles and flower vases".

[42] The symbol of the Korean National Police (KNP), which was newly created on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of their founding in 2006, takes the shape of Steller's sea eagle flying up to the sky with holding the rose of Sharon.

Steller's sea eagle, the scales on the neck, and the rose of Sharon represents "police", "balance" and "the state and the people" respectively.

The taegeuk sign in the middle of the rose of Sharon is the origin of all things and signifies "the Republic of Korea and its people"[43] The badge consists of two overlapping circles.

"[44] The South Korean police have faced continuous criticism regarding human rights violations, particularly in the handling of protests and demonstrations.

In 2014, a senior police official was arrested for allegedly accepting bribes, bringing attention to the extent of internal corruption within the organization.

In 2018, a police officer who raised concerns about a superior’s misconduct allegedly faced retaliatory actions in the form of a punitive job reassignment.

In 2019, the investigation involving Cho Kuk, the former Minister of Justice, became highly controversial, raising questions about impartiality and political interference.

As part of gender equality initiatives, the South Korean government has promoted the recruitment of female police officers.

Efforts to increase gender diversity in public service have led to a significant rise in the proportion of female officers, growing from approximately 2% in the early 2000s to over 12% by 2020.

Critics argue that this policy undermines fairness in the recruitment process, as women are subjected to less stringent physical tests than their male counterparts.

After the 2016 Seocho-dong public-toilet murder case, public awareness regarding crimes against women increased, leading to an expanded deployment of female officers.

On the other hand, the increased presence of female officers has played a vital role in specific areas, particularly in sexual crime investigations, domestic violence response, and youth protection.

In these cases, victims may feel more comfortable interacting with female officers, which can facilitate more effective investigations and support services.

The debate over the expansion of female police officers continues, with growing calls for a focus not only on increasing numbers but also on enhancing effective role allocation and operational capability.

After negotiations broke down in August, riot police deployed tear gas, tasers, helicopters, and planes to suppress the strikers.

[56] The autonomous police system has already been in effect on Jeju Island since 2006, and starting this year, it will be piloted in five cities and provinces, including Seoul and Sejong, and will gradually expand nationwide and go into full operation in 2020.

[57] In 1990, first debate of revision of investigation authority was started, but adjustment failed by gap of the Police and Prosecutors' Office.

[62][63] In addition, the Korean National Police has exchange agreements with European and North American law enforcement agencies.

[66] South Korea is considered one of the world's safest tourist destinations, with low crime rates and essentially no history of terrorist activity other than by the North.