The head of the national police agency vowed to commission special investigative units at regional headquarters to handle abuse cases involving minors under the age of 13.

This comes amid public outcry following the death of a 16-month-old baby girl known as "Jeong-in" last October, who suffered months of abuse by her adoptive parents.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Commissioner General Kim Chang-yong said talks are underway to expand the special units that currently handle crimes against women.

Kim said a task force, co-headed by the deputy commissioner general and the head of the new National Investigative Headquarters, will be set up to seek ways to prevent the recurrence of such crimes against children.

The police are also pushing to improve working conditions for anti-abuse police officers(APOs), partially blamed for failing to prevent the baby's death.

A senior official within the agency said various incentives, including special promotions, are under review, and the police will seek to expand the workforce with those with a good understanding of or a specialization in dealing with the socially vulnerable.