Condolence Wreaths Poured into Police Memorial Park... Seoul Police Chief "Felt Deep Sorrow"

On the morning of the 25th, opposition to the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is spreading within the police force. Near the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, a condolence wreath opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau has been placed.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Kim Kwang-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said he "felt sorrow as a police officer" regarding the outpouring of condolence wreaths at the Police Memorial Park protesting the suspension of Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-young, who led the nationwide police chiefs' meeting opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

On the 25th, Commissioner Kim told reporters about some police officers sending condolence wreaths to the Police Memorial Park opposite the Police Agency in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, "This is a place where the memorial tablets of fallen officers are enshrined, and while other things might be forgiven, this is unacceptable." The Police Memorial Park is a memorial plaza engraved with nameplates of 13,700 police officers who died in the line of duty. Commissioner Kim also rhetorically asked in an agitated tone, "Imagine if condolence wreaths were placed at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-dong, Seoul."

That afternoon, police officers gathered in the Police Agency lounge on the anonymous workplace community 'Blind' sent condolence wreaths to the Police Memorial Park. Initially, the wreaths were sent to the sidewalk in front of the Police Agency main gate, but the Police Agency reportedly blocked this, causing the location to be changed, according to those involved. The police officers who sent the wreaths did not disclose their exact names but identified themselves as 'Seoul Police Agency Detective Lee' and 'Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency Sergeant Kim.' The condolence wreath ribbons included the phrase "22.7.23 The People's Police Are Dead."

The condolence wreaths were a form of protest against the suspension of Chief Superintendent Ryu. Earlier, on the 23rd, Ryu led a nationwide police chiefs' meeting opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau at the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan, Chungnam, and was suspended that afternoon, assigned to the Ulsan Police Agency Public Safety Department's Planning, Information, and Equipment Division. Prior to this, he served as the Chief of Ulsan Jungbu Police Station. The Police Agency is also reported to have launched an internal investigation into 56 others who attended the meeting besides Chief Superintendent Ryu.

Following the effective disciplinary news, there has been internal backlash within the police. Especially on internal networks, harsh criticism has been directed at candidate Yoon, who issued the suspension order, with comments such as "You have already lost your qualification as our father" and "We demand your resignation." Additionally, the Police Workplace Council began a relay one-person protest from the morning in opposition to Chief Superintendent Ryu's suspension and related measures.

Despite the growing internal opposition, the Police Agency is reportedly determined to proceed with disciplinary measures, including investigations into Chief Superintendent Ryu and the meeting attendees. Candidate Yoon stated at a written press conference that day, "Appropriate measures will be taken based on the results of the upcoming investigation." Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min also criticized the chiefs who attended the meeting, saying, "This situation is almost equivalent to the 12.12 coup by the Hanahoe in the military and is extremely inappropriate."