<기사제목>Police Chief: "If Citizens Are Inconvenienced, Forced Dispersal... Capsaicin Sprayers Also Prepared"

Deployment of Over 120 Police Units Nationwide
Policy of 'On-Site Arrest' for Obstruction of Official Duties

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated regarding the response to the large-scale rally organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) scheduled for the 31st, "If illegal assemblies continue in the form of group camping in the city center causing serious inconvenience to citizens, we will disperse them on site, and if necessary during the dispersal of illegal assemblies, we must also prepare to use capsaisin spray devices."

Commissioner Yoon made these remarks on the afternoon of the 30th at a situation briefing held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

Earlier, the KCTU reported that it would hold a nationwide rally with a total of about 35,000 participants, including 20,000 in Seoul on the 31st. In response, Commissioner Yoon instructed the deployment of about 120 police units nationwide, including temporary task forces, to respond firmly.

Commissioner Yoon said, "On the 16th and 17th, the Construction Workers' Union held illegal assemblies disguised as nighttime cultural events in the heart of the city, causing severe traffic congestion during rush hour," adding, "The overnight group camping caused great inconvenience to citizens."

He continued, "If there is any obstruction of official duties such as assaulting police officers during law enforcement actions like dispersal measures, we will immediately arrest on site and proceed with judicial processing as quickly as possible."

Meanwhile, the National Police Agency added that it will continue to respond strictly according to law and principles to the irreparable pain and inconvenience experienced by many citizens.