Jeon Gwang-hoon "Unfair Use of Handcuffs During Escort... Will File Compensation Lawsuit Against Police"

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, who received treatment for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and was discharged, is holding a press conference on the 2nd in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church expressed his intention to file a compensation lawsuit against former National Police Agency Commissioner Min Gap-ryong and others, claiming that the police unjustly handcuffed him during the investigation process.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 11th, Pastor Jeon held a press conference with his legal team in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, stating, "They handcuffed me on the grounds that my residence was unclear, but I have lived here at this church for 20 years."

He continued, "If the escort regulations are mandatory provisions, then why were former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, Ulsan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Song Byung-gi, and Busan Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Yoo Jae-soo not handcuffed?" and claimed, "I plan to file a compensation lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court against the escort police officers and former Commissioner Min."

The legal team stated, "At that time, the escort police officers and former Commissioner Min were making excuses based on the 'Suspect Detention and Escort Regulations,' which are merely administrative rules rather than laws," and added, "We express our gratitude to the National Human Rights Commission for recognizing the illegal use of handcuffs and human rights violations."

Pastor Jeon was under police investigation for allegedly leading illegal activities at the Gwanghwamun rally on October 3, 2019, and appeared at the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) held at the Seoul Central District Court on January 2, 2020. Pastor Jeon's side raised issues that despite no flight risk, the police suddenly handcuffed him during the escort process after the hearing and exposed him to the media. At that time, the police rebutted by stating that internal guidelines require handcuffing suspects during detention and escort, and that they acted according to the regulations.

However, the National Human Rights Commission recognized this as a "human rights violation" the day before and recommended that the National Police Agency Commissioner revise the police agency directives related to the use of handcuffs and restraints. The Commission decided this considering that Pastor Jeon had lived in the church residence for 20 years, so he could not be considered to have an "unclear residence," that he voluntarily appeared for the warrant review, and that there was no significant resistance during the escort process, making it difficult to see any flight risk.