Police Chief: "Fully Trust the Investigation Team's Judgment on the Chaesangbyeong Case"

Commissioner Yoon: "Criticism for Differing from Public Expectations Is Not Allowed"
Police Investigation Review Committee List "Not Disclosable"

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, denied allegations of a botched investigation and external pressure regarding the investigation into the death of Marine Corps soldier Chae Sang-byeong.

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is reporting on duties at the plenary meeting of the Public Administration and Security Committee held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 11th, Commissioner Yoon appeared at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee and responded to People Power Party lawmaker Bae Jun-young's question, "Do you think the police investigation into the Chae Sang-byeong case was appropriate?" by stating, "As the Commissioner of the National Police Agency, I fully trust the 11-month investigation and judgment conducted by the Gyeongbuk Police Agency investigation team."

When Yong Hye-in, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, criticized the investigation as "a result that leaves no room for defense even if the public condemns it," Commissioner Yoon replied, "I believe that the investigation cannot be criticized simply because it differs from what the public expects."

When Lawmaker Yong asked, "If it is later revealed through a special prosecutor or other means that there were problems with the police investigation, how will you take responsibility?" Commissioner Yoon said, "If there is something I need to be responsible for, I will take responsibility. But I don't think this is the time to ask such questions."

Regarding the question from Lee Hae-sik of the Democratic Party, "Was there any consultation with the Presidential Office before the President exercised the veto power on the special prosecutor law for Chae Sang-byeong, which was announced a day before?" Commissioner Yoon answered, "As far as I know, there was none at all." He added, "The police investigation into this case legally approached the issue of who is responsible and to what extent for the charge of professional negligence resulting in death as stipulated by law. The aspects you are referring to were not considered at all in our investigation."

When Lee criticized the investigation for dragging on for 11 months while watching political schedules, Commissioner Yoon rebutted, "That is not the case. It took time due to various special circumstances, including the military's unique nature."

Regarding the suspicion that there was a phone call between the Presidential Office and the Ministry of National Defense just before the records of the Chae Sang-byeong case were transferred to the police and then retrieved by the Marine Corps Investigation Unit in August last year, he said, "Verification of the facts on that matter is included in the ongoing investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, so it is difficult for us to confirm whether it is true or not here."

During the meeting, Democratic Party lawmakers demanded the disclosure of the list of members of the Police Investigation Review Committee (Sushimwi) for the Chae Sang-byeong case, but Commissioner Yoon refused, citing the National Police Agency's regulations that the review is conducted confidentially, stating, "Disclosure is not possible." He added, "In 2019, there was a cancellation lawsuit against the prosecution's refusal to disclose the Sushimwi list, and it was deemed appropriate to keep the list confidential to ensure the fair performance of review duties. There is a court precedent stating that refusal to disclose the list is lawful."

After these remarks, Commissioner Yoon was criticized as it became known that there is a court ruling ordering the police to disclose the names of the Sushimwi members.

Shin Jeong-hoon, chair of the Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party, criticized, "Court rulings take precedence over regulations, so isn't it possible that the Commissioner was aware of such rulings but concealed them? The public will be frustrated wondering why the Sushimwi list must be hidden at all costs."

In response, Commissioner Yoon explained, "I only learned about the ruling, which differs somewhat from previous rulings, through today's media reports. I cannot know everything."

According to the police, in August last year, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of a plaintiff who filed an information disclosure refusal cancellation lawsuit against the Gangwon Police Agency, demanding the disclosure of the Sushimwi member list, stating, "There is no evidence to recognize that disclosure of the list would significantly hinder the fair performance of duties."

Gangwon Police Agency appealed, but the Seoul High Court dismissed the appeal last month.