Sangmin Lee: "Disciplining Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-yeong Is Not Within My Authority"

Answered like this during the National Assembly's government questioning on the 25th

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is heading back to his seat after answering questions from lawmakers during the government-wide inquiry on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong, Kwon Hyunji] Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min expressed that the disciplinary action against Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-yeong, who led the nationwide police chiefs' meeting opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is "not within his authority to comment on and difficult to respond to."

On the 25th, during a government questioning session at the National Assembly, Minister Lee responded this way when Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye asked, "Will Chief Superintendent Ryu be disciplined?"

Minister Lee previously referred to the collective action by police officers as a situation "comparable to the December 12 coup by the Hanahoe, a former military secret society." Regarding this, he said, "I am not saying all police officers in the Republic of Korea are like this, but those involved in this incident are. I believe they are damaging the honor of other police officers who quietly and diligently perform their duties."

Lawmaker Park pointed out, "Isn't the Police Bureau under the Minister of the Interior and Safety established to command and supervise the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency? Isn't it intended to interfere with and control police investigations?" Minister Lee strongly denied this, saying, "Absolutely not."

He added, "If you look specifically at the work done by the Police Bureau we are creating, and then actually review the police officer command regulations, all such concerns will be resolved."

Minister Lee also stated, "The Minister of the Interior and Safety has no intention whatsoever to individually intervene in or command investigations regarding specific cases."

When Lawmaker Park asked, "Can you promise not to intervene or interfere in investigations?" Minister Lee replied, "That is absolutely obvious."