Yoon Seok-yeol: "Incheon Stabbing Rampage? Even if It's Namgyeong, Difficult to Subdue Criminals with Physical Strength Alone... Weapons Must Be Used"

Yoon Seok-yeol Emphasizes Use of Taser Guns and Gas Guns for Suppression
"Must Actively Use for Citizen Safety"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is holding a meeting with members at the Hongik Autonomous Crime Prevention Unit in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the evening of the 7th, together with Lee Jun-seok, the party leader.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, emphasized regarding the attempted murder case related to noise complaints between floors in Incheon, "The police officers are not all martial arts masters, so in such situations, whether male or female officers, they must be able to use appropriate restraint equipment based on situational judgment."

The incident Yoon referred to occurred on the afternoon of the 15th of last month at a villa in Namdong-gu, Incheon, where a stabbing rampage took place. It was revealed that the police who responded to the call and arrived at the scene witnessed the crime but left the scene, showing inadequate response, which recently led to their dismissal.

On the afternoon of the 7th, after visiting the Hongik Police Substation in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and receiving explanations about police issues, Yoon told reporters, "It is not a matter of whether the officer is a female officer or not. Even if it is a male officer, if the criminal is a very strong person, the male officer cannot subdue him with his own strength," adding, "Judging whether the use of equipment was right or wrong afterward should respect the situation on the scene more."

Regarding the use of restraint weapons, he said, "A handgun can be fatal to a criminal, but nowadays, there are many advanced devices such as tasers that significantly reduce fatal injuries to the opponent, so we need to secure them through budget support," and questioned, "Why would we call the police? We ask them to come and subdue the situation, but can they do that with bare hands?"

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party who accompanied him, explained about support for autonomous crime prevention squads, "Among those who voluntarily assist local administration, groups like volunteer fire brigades or model drivers receive systematic support, but autonomous crime prevention squads are in a blind spot, so there is a legislative plan at the party level."

Meanwhile, on the same afternoon, Yoon and Lee wore fluorescent patrol vests and hats and went on a joint patrol with the Hongik Autonomous Crime Prevention Squad in an alley in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The schedule also included the accompaniment of Seo Beom-su, a member of the National Assembly and former Commissioner of the National Police Agency.