Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-yeong: "Disciplinary Action Is Unfair... It Would Not Have Been the Police Commissioner’s Decision"

Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-young is holding a press conference in front of the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu on the 8th, where the Central Disciplinary Committee is being held.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Ryu Sam-yeong, Senior Superintendent who led the nationwide police chiefs (Senior Superintendents) meeting opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated on the 8th, "Disciplinary action is unjust when more than half of the public opposes the Police Bureau according to public opinion polls."

Senior Superintendent Ryu said this to reporters while attending the Police Agency Central Disciplinary Committee on the same day. He added, "Most police officers oppose my disciplinary action, and both the National Human Rights Commission Chairman and the Police Agency Human Rights Committee have expressed concerns." He further criticized, "Despite the Police Agency Citizen Inspection Committee recommending a minor disciplinary action, (Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun) demanded a severe disciplinary action, which is even more unjust," calling it "an abuse of disciplinary authority that infringes on constitutional freedom of expression and significantly violates the principle of proportionality."

Senior Superintendent Ryu stated, "Although there is a regulation that the Police Commissioner must accept the disciplinary recommendations of the Citizen Inspection Committee to the fullest extent, he demanded a severe disciplinary action," and added, "It is a decision that harms oneself, and I believe (Commissioner Yoon) did not make this decision on his own." When asked by reporters whether he thought the Presidential Office intervened in the Police Commissioner's disciplinary request, he replied, "I will not deny it."

Senior Superintendent Ryu, who was serving as the Chief of Ulsan Jungbu Police Station, led a nationwide police chiefs meeting attended by 54 Senior Superintendents opposing the Police Bureau on July 23. As a result, he was reassigned to the Public Safety Department, Police Planning, Information, and Equipment Division of Ulsan Police Agency. In September, the Police Agency Citizen Inspection Committee recommended a minor disciplinary action against Senior Superintendent Ryu, but Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun requested the committee to impose a severe disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, a one-person protest by police officers belonging to the National Police Workplace Council opposing Senior Superintendent Ryu's disciplinary action was held in front of the Police Agency on the same day. They plan to submit a petition signed by approximately 800 police officers demanding the withdrawal of Senior Superintendent Ryu's disciplinary action to the disciplinary committee.