"Affair Conducted in Patrol Car During Duty" Male and Female Police Officers Involved in Affair Dismissed

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] A male and female police officer who engaged in an extramarital affair during working hours inside a patrol car and police substation have been dismissed.

According to the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency on the 22nd, male officer A and female officer B from a certain police station were disciplined for damaging the dignity of public officials after engaging in romantic activities during working hours. They were suspended from their positions on the 20th of last month and dismissed on the 4th.

Investigation revealed that A and B, who worked at the same police substation, had maintained a long-term extramarital relationship. A, who is married, and B, who was divorced, were reported to have engaged in romantic acts during working hours inside the substation and patrol car.

Their affair was exposed by A. When A refused to meet B at the end of last year, an angry B went to A’s house and caused a disturbance by throwing filth, prompting A to report the matter internally. During the investigation, A reportedly confessed to over 100 instances of inappropriate relations and disclosed locations of their affair.

In the past, adultery, which was subject to criminal punishment, could lead to dismissal under Article 56 of the State Public Officials Act. However, after the abolition of this law, such provisions could no longer be applied, resulting in disciplinary actions like suspension. While there have been suspensions or salary reductions for police officers involved in affairs within the Gyeongbuk Police Agency in recent years, this is the first case of dismissal.

A police official stated, "These officers were suspended from their positions on the 20th of last month and dismissed by the disciplinary committee," adding, "We cannot disclose detailed investigation contents."