Hwang Unha, Director of the Police Human Resources Development Institute, "Suspended on the 21st... I will not be defeated by the prosecution"

Hwang Unha, Director of the Police Human Resources Development Institute. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Hwang Un-ha, director of the Police Human Resources Development Institute, who was indicted on charges related to the 'Blue House ordered investigation suspicion' involving former Ulsan Mayor Kim Ki-hyun, has recently been reportedly suspended from his position. Director Hwang is registered as a preliminary candidate for the National Assembly representing Jung-gu, Daejeon, under the Democratic Party of Korea and is preparing to run for office.

On the 23rd, Director Hwang posted on his Facebook, "As of the 21st, I have effectively left the police force," adding, "Due to a government personnel order, my current position as director of the Police Human Resources Development Institute has been suspended."

He further explained, "According to relevant laws, a public official who has been indicted may not be assigned a position," and clarified, "Being indicted does not necessarily mean that suspension from a position must follow, but if there are justifiable reasons, the position may not be assigned."

Director Hwang particularly stated, "I am in a situation where it is inappropriate to faithfully perform the duties of director of the Police Human Resources Development Institute," and added, "Since I have been indicted, I need to prepare for trial, but it is a very awkward situation to simultaneously carry out the role of director and preliminary candidate for the 21st general election."

He also expressed regret about ending his police career. Director Hwang said, "I never imagined in my dreams that my 35 years of police service would end with suspension," and lamented, "Leaving the police, which has been my entire life, without properly delivering a farewell speech amid the send-off from juniors, I was overwhelmed with anger and sadness, making it difficult to maintain composure."

Meanwhile, Director Hwang criticized the prosecution once again. He stated, "I stood confidently in opposition to the prosecution with pride that I would never be recklessly attacked by the prosecution organization, but the petty attacks by the prosecution fabricating crimes have ultimately dealt me a heavy blow," emphasizing, "Although the prosecution is persistently obstructing my election candidacy and campaign activities, I will never be broken."