The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) has launched its first investigation research group to enhance the expertise of special judicial police (SJP) responsible for investigating food, drug, and medical narcotics crimes. The initiative aims to improve investigative capabilities by sharing knowledge of the criminal justice system and exemplary investigation cases.
On July 28, the KFDA announced the establishment of the investigation research group named 'Sherlock Holmes' and held the '1st Food and Drug Investigation Seminar' at the Osong Convention Center.
The Sherlock Holmes group consists of over 50 members, including investigators from the Central Investigation Team for Food Safety Crimes and local SJP offices. The KFDA explained that the group was formed to enhance the professionalism of SJPs by learning about the criminal justice system and sharing information on new crimes and successful investigation cases.
During the seminar, Professor Park Jae-pyeong from Chungbuk National University Law School presented on the topic 'Changes in the Criminal Justice Structure and the Development Direction of SJPs,' followed by a Q&A session with attendees.
Investigators from the Central Investigation Team also shared cases involving counterfeit health supplements and cosmetics, as well as challenges faced during investigations. There was also a session for sharing field investigation experiences and difficulties between headquarters and local SJP offices.
The Central Investigation Team for Food Safety Crimes was established in 2009 and currently has 28 members at the headquarters and 15 at local offices designated as SJPs. They investigate violations of 14 laws, including the Food Sanitation Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, the Medical Device Act, and the Narcotics Control Act. Last year, they investigated over 350 food and drug safety crime cases and referred them to prosecutors.
Meanwhile, the KFDA plans to actively promote the management of food and pharmaceuticals and the monitoring of medical narcotics using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.
The KFDA stated, 'We will continue to crack down on illegal food and drug crimes swiftly and rigorously to protect public health from illegal products.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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