"'Daegiballyeong' Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-yeong: 'Threatened Before... I Had a Feeling of Disciplinary Action'"

On the afternoon of the 23rd, after the National Police Chiefs Meeting held at the Chungnam Asan Police Human Resources Development Institute, Ryu Sam-yeong, Chief Superintendent of Ulsan Jungbu Police Station, announced the results of the meeting.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Ryu Sam-yeong, Superintendent General who led the nationwide police chiefs' meeting opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and was subsequently placed on standby, said, "I had a premonition that some form of action would be taken."

Ryu, who was the chief of Ulsan Jungbu Police Station, stated in a phone interview with this outlet on the 24th, "Threats had been coming even before I was placed on standby." He explained, "While conducting the chiefs' meeting, I received a notification from the Director of the Police Human Resources Development Institute. The tone implied that if things went wrong, I could face disciplinary action for violating service regulations, and it was an order to disband the meeting."

Despite these threats, Superintendent General Ryu led the chiefs' meeting to the end. He said, "If I had been afraid of disciplinary action from the start, I wouldn't have held the meeting." He also questioned, "What is wrong with gathering at a police institution on a holiday, following legal procedures, to discuss a critical issue concerning the future of the police?"

Ryu suspects Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min as the force behind these measures. He said, "Originally, I was scheduled to meet with Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun on the 25th to report the meeting results. Why would a candidate suddenly be placed on standby? The Minister of the Interior and Safety must have manipulated the candidate to issue such orders."

Ryu added, "Even without having personnel authority, the Minister of the Interior and Safety exercises such overwhelming power. Imagine what would happen if he actually had that authority. Wouldn't that send a message like 'If you don't obey me, you're finished'? In that case, police officers would only look to the personnel authority and turn their backs on the public." He pointed out, "This issue is not just about the police; it means citizens' human rights can be violated at any time."

Earlier, on the 23rd, Ryu led the chiefs' meeting at the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan, Chungnam, and was notified of his standby status on his way back to Ulsan. The notice, issued in the name of the Police Commissioner, instructed him to be on standby at the Public Safety Department, Police Planning, Information, and Equipment Division of the Ulsan Police Agency. He said, "The police chiefs, including myself, proceeded with the meeting despite personal disadvantages in status. I hope this sincerity is conveyed to the public."

Meanwhile, the Police Agency issued a statement near the end of the meeting the previous day, saying, "Considering public concerns, we urged restraint in gatherings and ordered disbandment, but the meeting was forcibly held, which we regard as a serious situation." They added, "After reviewing whether there was a violation of service regulations, strict measures will be taken against the participants." It is known that the Police Agency has also launched an internal investigation into the superintendent-level officials who attended the meeting besides Superintendent General Ryu.