Response to National Petition on Incheon Interfloor Noise Weapon Rampage Incident... "Recognition of Structural and Systemic Issues, Grave Sense of Crisis"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated on the 3rd in response to the Blue House public petition regarding the Incheon inter-floor noise stabbing incident that it was a "clear mistake that betrayed the reason for the police's existence."
On the 3rd, the Blue House responded through Commissioner Kim to public petitions concerning the 'inter-floor noise stabbing incident' and the 'military senior-junior intimidation death case'.
First, Commissioner Kim said, "these two public petitions represent the voices of the people criticizing the police for inadequate response at the scene and insufficient initial investigation, failing to properly perform their role," adding, "As the head of the police, I sincerely apologize for causing concern due to the police's response falling short of public expectations."
Regarding the Incheon inter-floor noise stabbing incident, 240,000 people participated in the petition requesting strict punishment for the police's response issues and attempts at appeasement.
This incident occurred on November 15th at a villa in Incheon, where a man in his 40s living upstairs wielded a weapon during a dispute over inter-floor noise, causing significant harm to the family living downstairs. Although police officers responded to a 112 emergency call, they failed to stop the attacker and left the scene, leaving the victims defenseless.
Commissioner Kim stated, "The police's foremost duty is undoubtedly to protect the lives and safety of the people," and added, "This incident is a clear mistake that betrayed the police's mission and reason for existence."
The National Police Agency has dismissed two officers who were dispatched to the scene and suspended the police chief in charge for command responsibility. Commissioner Kim said, "We will also investigate the inadequate handling of repeated 112 calls before the incident and the insensitive remarks and behavior after the incident that hurt the families' feelings, and take appropriate measures corresponding to the responsibility."
In particular, Commissioner Kim emphasized, "The police recognize this matter not only as an issue of individual officers and the relevant department but as a structural and organizational problem, and we have a serious sense of crisis."
Commissioner Kim said, that frontline police officers will be trained to master the use of weapons and equipment to boldly subdue suspects carrying weapons. Additionally, special training on 'use of physical force' and 'police spirit' is being conducted for all 10,000 newly appointed police officers.
However, Commissioner Kim drew a line by stating, "the core issue in this incident is not about gender but whether police officers have sufficient on-site response capabilities through proper education and training."
Meanwhile, Commissioner Kim also responded to the case of a man in his 20s who died after being extorted for money, threatened, and bullied by military seniors and juniors on August 8th. The victim's family posted a petition pointing out problems with the police's initial investigation, which was supported by over 200,000 people.
Commissioner Kim said, "I deeply regret not fully understanding the bereaved family's plea for truth clarification and thorough investigation, and the investigation was insufficient," adding, "a rigorous internal investigation is underway."
Commissioner Kim pledged, "We will thoroughly verify whether there was dereliction of duty, and once the results are out, we will take strict measures corresponding to the responsibility. We will also reorganize the entire responsibility investigation system to prevent recurrence of inadequate investigations."
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