Police: "Plan to Maintain Ban on Protests at Presidential Office Until Court's First Trial Decision"

Biden Security Guard Departs After Assaulting Korean
"Investigation Sufficient... No Issues with Criminal Procedures"

Kim Geon-hee's Written Investigation "Considering All Circumstances"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The police announced on the 23rd that they plan to maintain the ban on gatherings at the presidential office until the court makes a substantive ruling. Regarding the incident in which an American security staff member who entered the country to protect U.S. President Joe Biden assaulted a Korean citizen, the police stated that "the investigation has been thorough, and there are no issues with the criminal proceedings." They also explained that conducting a written investigation into the accusation against First Lady Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, is a "procedure considering all circumstances."

Choi Gwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a press briefing that morning, "Recent court rulings are provisional injunctions on individual cases and cannot be seen as judicial decisions on the final Assembly and Demonstration Act (ADA)." Previously, the court partially accepted injunction requests filed by civic groups opposing the police's ban on gatherings near the Yongsan presidential office. The court allowed the gatherings but reduced the time and scope. Commissioner Choi said, "We want to receive a clear judicial interpretation of the ADA through the main lawsuit."

The police maintain that the current ADA's ban on gatherings within 100 meters of the "presidential residence" includes the presidential office. Considering that the official residences of other public institution heads such as the National Assembly Speaker, Supreme Court Chief Justice, and Constitutional Court Chief Justice are also protected by a 100-meter no-gathering zone, the same logic applies to the presidential office. Commissioner Choi said, "The Ministry responsible for the ADA is the National Police Agency," and added, "The National Police Agency will make the final decision on whether to maintain the current ban after the first trial ruling in the main lawsuit."

Regarding the recent increase in gatherings and demonstrations near the presidential office and complaints from nearby residents about noise and inconvenience, Commissioner Choi said, "We are making our best efforts within the scope allowed by law." He added, "Nearby residents have submitted petitions and expressed discomfort. The police will appropriately and balancedly use guidance or enforcement authority available to minimize citizen inconvenience according to each situation."

On the incident involving the American government employee who assaulted a Korean citizen ahead of the Korea-U.S. summit, Commissioner Choi stated, "There is no problem with punishment." A police official explained, "The investigation is practically complete, and the case will be sent for prosecution. Even if Mr. A does not return to Korea, there is no problem in handling the case." This means that if the victim agrees or the case is handled by summary trial, judicial processing is possible without the suspect's presence.

Earlier, an American man identified as Mr. A, affiliated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was booked on charges of assaulting a Korean citizen around 4:20 a.m. on the 20th, a day before U.S. President Joe Biden's visit, near a taxi stand by the Grand Hyatt Seoul hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. However, after the police investigation, Mr. A immediately returned to the U.S., raising doubts about the feasibility of punishment. Commissioner Choi said, "Even if the suspect is a foreigner, we will ensure that the investigation and punishment follow the same standards and principles as for nationals."

Regarding the decision to conduct a written investigation into First Lady Kim Geon-hee's alleged "false career" claims, Commissioner Choi clarified, "This does not assume innocence." He said, "Whether it is an in-person or written investigation depends on various circumstances. We will review the written responses and make a judgment. Please understand that this is a procedure considering all circumstances." The police are also conducting a written investigation into the accusation related to the "7-hour phone call recording" involving Mrs. Kim.