Frontline Police Officers Oppose Ministry of the Interior Advisory Committee Recommendations... "Violation of the Constitution" (Comprehensive)

Lee So-jin, Chairperson of the Police Agency Workplace Council, is holding a solo protest on the 21st in front of the main gate of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, against the establishment of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Police Bureau, which undermines the democracy, neutrality, independence, and accountability of the police. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy reporters Seongpil Jo and Gyumin Oh] Frontline police officers collectively opposed the police control recommendations announced on the 21st by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's 'Police System Improvement Advisory Committee.'

The National Public Officials Labor Union Police Agency Branch issued a statement on the police internal network immediately after the announcement of the recommendations, expressing regret over "this recommendation, which goes beyond the essence of the separation of powers and delegated legislation to solidify the 'Big Brother Ministry of the Interior and Safety,'" and urged "the immediate abolition of the proposal to establish a Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety." The union further pointed out, "Implementing policing affairs not stipulated by law as duties of the Minister of the Interior and Safety through enforcement ordinances and rules is a serious constitutional violation that undermines the democratic nature and independence of the police, going beyond the essence of delegated legislation."

The union added, "When the Ministry of Justice's Personnel Information Management Unit was launched, the expansion of authority through enforcement ordinance tricks was also controversial," and stated, "To ensure that police authority is exercised democratically, rather than irregular amendments to enforcement ordinances and rules, the National Police Commission, a consultative body stipulated by law, should be strengthened to operate more effectively." They criticized, "The simplistic idea of creating another oversized power, the 'Big Brother Ministry of the Interior and Safety,' to control the already expanded police authority is merely a reshuffling of powers and can never achieve the true purpose of the separation of powers."

On the 21st, when the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Police System Improvement Advisory Committee is scheduled to announce recommendations for police control measures, the police flag is fluttering in the wind at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Police System Improvement Advisory Committee will announce the recommendations on this day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Seoul Police Workplace Council delegation also held a press conference at 2 p.m. in front of the Government Seoul Office in Gwanghwamun on the same day, criticizing, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Police System Improvement Advisory Committee's recommendations are a regression to the past and, depending on the future Police System Development Committee's discussions, aim to entrust the Minister of the Interior and Safety with policing and investigative command." The delegation further pointed out, "Unilateral police control by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety without national consensus goes against the trend of pursuing democratic policing, and amendments to subordinate laws that contradict the purpose of the law should be remembered as directly leading to the birth of a police force vulnerable to power."

Earlier, Sojin Lee, Chairperson of the Police Agency Workplace Council, held a solo protest in front of the Government Seoul Office. Police Commissioner Changryong Kim also convened a video conference with provincial police chiefs following the announcement of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety advisory committee's recommendations. The police leadership, including Commissioner Kim, is expected to release an official statement after the meeting.