Local governments will be allowed to create their own independent police force starting 2006.

The local police will take charge of traffic control, food safety, and maintenance of public order and security, while the national police will continue to carry out specialized duties such as investigations and special security.

The decision was made Thursday at a policy meeting of the Presidential Committee on Government Innovation and Decentralization, presided over by President Roh Moo-hyun and attended by heads of related agencies.

Under the new system, police districts will fall under the provincial police agencies, which will enjoy the special jurisdiction currently granted to local governments.

Provincial governments can decide whether to have their own force or to continue depending on the National Police Agency.

The government plans to fully implement the new police system from July 2006 to enhance the security of local residents in a bid to give more autonomy to provincial governments and further decentralize the country.