Human Rights Commission: "Police Officers in Uniform Must Also Present ID During Random Checks"

National Human Rights Commission of Korea building. Photo by National Human Rights Commission

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The National Human Rights Commission has ruled that even police officers in uniform must present identification during random inspections.

On the 24th, the Human Rights Commission acknowledged that the police did not present their identification to the subject during a random inspection, recognizing this as a partial human rights violation. They recommended that the head of the relevant police station issue a warning to the officer involved. Additionally, they advised conducting job training for the affiliated police officers.

The complainant filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, stating that it was unfair for the police officer to conduct a random inspection without disclosing their affiliation, name, purpose, and reason for the inspection, and without presenting their police identification.

In response, the Human Rights Commission determined that the complainant was aware that the random inspection was part of an investigative activity aimed at apprehending a suspect, and therefore did not accept the complaint regarding the failure to disclose the purpose and reason for the inspection.

However, regarding the failure to present police identification during the random inspection, the Commission stated that unless there are special circumstances such as an urgent situation at the scene, police officers exercising public authority must present their identification.

The Human Rights Commission explained, "Presenting identification before the inspection is a minimally indispensable procedure to prevent misunderstandings or disputes about compliance with inspection procedures," adding, "This is also related to the public's right to know."