163 Police University Graduates Enrolled in 25 Law Schools... "Possibility of Service Obligation Violation"

Sajunmo "Current Law School System Should Be Abolished or Improved"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] It has been revealed that 163 individuals who graduated from the Korean National Police University are currently enrolled (either attending or on leave) in law schools. Most of them are likely active police officers, raising claims that they are violating their service obligations.

On the 25th, the Judicial Examination Preparation Group (Sajunmo) stated, “The National Police Agency, Ministry of Education, and law schools do not have an accurate count of active police officers currently enrolled in law schools,” and added, “We have requested disclosure of information regarding Korean National Police University graduates enrolled in 25 law schools nationwide.”

According to the data, among the 25 law schools nationwide, Kyung Hee University has the highest number of Korean National Police University graduates enrolled, totaling 24. This is followed by Wonkwang University (16), Sungkyunkwan University and Chungnam National University (15 each), Kyungpook National University (13), Dong-A University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (10 each), Yonsei University (9), Inha University (7), and Korea University (6). Nearly half of the 163 Korean National Police University graduates enrolled in law schools, 78 individuals, are attending law schools located in Seoul.

Sajunmo explained, “Last year, the National Police Agency identified 66 active police officers enrolled in law schools,” and added, “Most of the 80 Korean National Police University graduates who entered law schools this year are also likely active police officers.” Furthermore, they argued, “The current law school system does not offer night or online law school programs, and one cannot become a legal professional without attending law school. Therefore, active police officers must inevitably violate their service obligations to study at law schools.”

They also stated, “The issue of active police officers attending law school causes fairness problems within the police force and among other public institution employees and workers,” and explained, “The current law school system should be abolished or improved by reinstating the judicial examination or introducing a preliminary exam.”