20s Male Found at Apartment Gym
Investigated by Police as Sexual Crime Suspect
Police Responded Rudely Using Informal Language
Complaints Flood Dongtan Police Station Free Board
Controversy is brewing as a series of complaints have been posted on the free bulletin board of Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station regarding a case in which a man in his 20s claimed he was investigated by the police after using the men's restroom at an apartment gym.
On the 25th, Mr. A, who runs the YouTube channel 'Innocent Man,' claimed in a video that the police spoke to him disrespectfully and ignored him, treating him as a suspect in a sex crime. Mr. A explained the situation, saying, "The police received a report that a man was peeping at someone and ran away," and "After checking the appearance through closed-circuit television (CCTV), I was identified as the suspect."
According to the recording Mr. A released, although he was still a suspect (someone suspected but not yet proven to have committed a crime), the person who appeared to be a police officer spoke to him informally, asking, "Are you a student? A soldier?" and "How old are you now?" When Mr. A took out his ID and his hand trembled, the officer joked, "You can take it out slowly. Why are your hands shaking?" When Mr. A visited the police station to check the case number, he was told by the police, "If you have nothing to hide, just stay still."
Mr. A claimed, "I have used the apartment gym restroom several times before, and since the men's and women's restrooms are separated, there is no way to mistake it," adding, "Even though I said I didn't know anything, the police ignored me and spoke to me disrespectfully as if I were already a criminal." He also appealed, saying, "I consulted with a lawyer and received legal advice, but I cannot shake off the anxiety."
Complaints Continue on Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station Free Bulletin Board
The appearance of consecutive complaint posts being uploaded on the Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station free bulletin board. Please note that profanity and real names have been mosaic-processed. [Photo by Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station free bulletin board capture]
The post sparked significant controversy on online communities and social networking services (SNS). In response to the spreading controversy, the Women and Youth Division of Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station, which is investigating the case, issued a statement saying, "A 112 report was received from a woman, and following procedures, we met with the woman and the man to hear their statements and secured CCTV footage from the scene for investigation," adding, "We will conduct a strict investigation based on objective evidence to ensure no one is wronged. We will verify the facts regarding whether there was any inappropriate behavior or language by the police officers."
Despite the explanation from Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station, the controversy has not subsided. Although posting on the free bulletin board requires real-name verification, several netizens have posted criticisms of the police's language and behavior.
Netizen B said, "I earnestly request that the investigation be conducted according to basic investigative principles and that an appropriate explanation of the case be provided," adding, "Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station pressured an innocent person as a suspect and conducted a coercive investigation. Please conduct the investigation based on the presumption of innocence and treat the suspect with respect." Other netizens continued their criticisms with comments such as, "Don't they know the presumption of innocence?", "Why are they speaking informally?", "That police officer should be disciplined," and "What if Mr. A is not the culprit?"
Meanwhile, the presumption of innocence is a principle that considers a defendant or suspect innocent until proven guilty, as stated in Article 27, Paragraph 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. Until a guilty verdict is finalized, the presumption of innocence applies, so even if a guilty verdict is delivered in the second trial or appellate court, the presumption of innocence remains until it is finalized. The presumption of innocence is maintained even if a dismissal, discontinuation of prosecution, or jurisdictional error ruling is finalized.
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