Yoon Hee-geun "Apologies for Drunkard Death... Will Seek Rational Alternatives"

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, visited a police substation in Dongdaemun Police Station, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 1st to inspect the site where a fatal accident occurred after leaving a drunken citizen unattended.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, expressed regret over the recent death of an intoxicated person and stated that he will seek reasonable alternatives to prevent recurrence.

On the 1st, Commissioner Yoon visited Hwikyung Police Substation in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, at 3:48 p.m. to conduct an on-site inspection related to the protection measures for intoxicated individuals. Meeting with reporters, Commissioner Yoon said, "I am saddened by the series of accidents that occurred during the protection process of intoxicated persons," and added, "I sincerely apologize."

However, he also expressed understanding toward voices claiming that internal police investigations or disciplinary actions against the police, which were insufficient in their measures, might be excessive. Commissioner Yoon stated, "First, it is necessary to accurately verify the facts, and responsibility should be addressed afterward," adding, "The difficulties faced by district police stations and substations lie in handling intoxicated individuals. There are concerns about cooperation with related agencies on-site, lack of facilities, and institutional shortcomings." Furthermore, he added, "Taking this incident as an opportunity, we will prepare reasonable alternatives and establish measures to prevent such unfortunate events from happening again."

According to the police, on the 19th of last month, a man in his 50s, Mr. A, was hit and killed by a passing van in an alley in Hwikyung-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Before his death, the police responded to a report that the heavily intoxicated Mr. A was lying on the street. However, Mr. A refused assistance, saying "Do not touch me," and was left unattended before being moved to a patrol car. On November 30th last year, police who responded to a report of an intoxicated person in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, handed over intoxicated Mr. B to the stairs in front of his house, but Mr. B was unable to enter his home and died of hypothermia. The police officers who responded at that time were booked on charges of professional negligence resulting in death or injury.