"Demand for Resignation of Northern Gyeonggi Police Chief over Hair Loss Remarks" Active Police Officer Holds Solo Protest in Front of Police Agency

Sergeant Ryu Chang-min holding a solo protest in front of the National Police Agency on the 29th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A police officer who raised an issue claiming to have heard appearance-disparaging remarks from Lee Moon-soo, Chief of the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency, held a solo protest in front of the National Police Agency and demanded the chief's resignation.

Sergeant Ryu Chang-min (40) of the Madu Precinct, Ilsan Dongbu Police Station, held a solo protest on the morning of the 29th in front of the National Police Agency building in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, holding placards with the phrases "Is a shaved head hateful?" and "Human rights police? What about the rights of employees?"

Sergeant Ryu claimed that he heard abusive language from Chief Lee during a meeting with field officers held on the 15th. He posted on the police internal network that Chief Lee said, "Police officers dealing with the public should be well-groomed, but shaving your head as you please gives others a very intimidating and hateful impression," and "Don't talk back; if people find it hateful, then it is hateful, so don't resist." Sergeant Ryu had shaved his head due to hair loss.

In response, Chief Lee expressed regret, saying, "I offer deep condolences for the emotional hurt caused by an unintended misunderstanding," but criticism arose again that this was a formal response. Kim, a co-representative of the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Staff Council who was present at the time of the remarks, also posted on the internal network the day before, requesting a sincere apology to Sergeant Ryu. This post has currently recorded 14,000 views.

Chief Lee, who took office as the head of the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency on the 31st of last month, also became embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that he smoked in his office within the non-smoking police building. He admitted to smoking in his office and apologized, saying, "I was wrong."