[Interview] Active Police Officer Filing Human Rights Complaint on 'Vaccine Semi-Mandatory Vaccination': "It's a Matter of Human Rights, Not Right or Wrong"

"Unvaccinated Individuals Required to Attend Interviews and Submit Statements
Vaccine Uptake Turns into Performance Competition
Could Not Ignore Voices of Colleagues"

Police officer receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Amid ongoing controversy over the police leadership's 'coercion of COVID-19 vaccination,' it has come to light that an active-duty police officer filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, drawing public attention. The complainant is an ordinary field police officer. His 'courage' has resonated with fellow officers, who have left messages of support.

Sergeant Kim Ki-beom, chairman of the workplace council at Gimhae Jungbu Police Station in Gyeongnam, filed the complaint with the Human Rights Commission on the 30th of last month. This was due to the police leadership forcing vaccinations contrary to their initial promise to leave the decision voluntary. On the 6th of this month, he posted on the police internal network 'Polnet' to inform his colleagues of the complaint. More than 150 comments were posted, showing agreement with Sergeant Kim's stance.

In the hierarchical police organization, where one could risk becoming disliked by 'superiors,' how was he able to muster such courage? Sergeant Kim said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 8th, "While I agree with the purpose of vaccination, I could not ignore the voices of colleagues who were afraid to get vaccinated."

Sergeant Kim himself received the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine on the 29th of last month. He expressed understanding of the reason why police, as essential social personnel, should be vaccinated. However, he claimed that there was no consideration for 'human rights' throughout the police vaccination process.

Sergeant Kim criticized, "At first, it was said to be voluntary, but then there were reprimands about the low vaccination rate. The provincial police chief pressured the police station chiefs, who in turn pressured each department, and in severe cases, unvaccinated officers were required to write explanations or attend interviews, turning it into a performance competition." He raised his voice, saying, "Due to psychological pressure, some employees reluctantly got vaccinated despite health concerns or worries. There was even an employee who suffered severe side effects and was close to death."

Sergeant Kim emphasized that vaccination status is not a matter of right or wrong. Vaccination is not 'good' and non-vaccination 'evil,' but a personal choice and a matter of human rights. He pointed out, "The issue is the process, regardless of vaccination status. Looking at the entire process, it shows a lack of consideration for human rights, just like in the past."

He added, "Currently, the police pay great attention to the human rights of suspects, but I wanted to sound an alarm about the lack of respect for the human rights of fellow police officers working alongside us," emphasizing the significance of his complaint.