[2024 National Audit] "Legal Solo Protest Suppressed After Yoon Passed"…Police Chief Says "Due to Presidential Security"

Mok Kyung-jong "Obstruction of lawful protest... Isn't it a matter of sentiment security?"

Mo Kyung-jong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "When President Yoon Seok-yeol arrived at the event venue, the government and police obstructed a lawful solo protest."

The National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee conducted a government audit of the National Police Agency on the 11th. Mo asked Police Commissioner General Jo Ji-ho, "A solo protest does not violate the Assembly and Demonstration Act, correct?" to which Commissioner Jo replied, "That is correct." Mo said, "On Armed Forces Day, the chairman of the Marine Corps Reserve Regiment protested regarding the investigation into the death of a Marine, but the police's attitude changed around the time President Yoon arrived," adding, "Government security officials and police riot squad members formed a human wall and surrounded the protester." The Marine Corps Reserve Regiment had claimed on the 1st that their freedom of expression was infringed due to excessive police restrictions related to the incident.

On the 11th, a National Assembly audit for the National Police Agency was held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mo said, "The solo protest intended to express a message to the President failed to achieve its purpose and was aborted," and questioned, "Why was a lawful solo protest suddenly restricted?" Commissioner Jo responded, "It was not a sanction for violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act," adding, "This was likely due to the President's movement, the establishment of a security zone related to that, and necessary measures taken according to the Presidential Security Act."

Mo stated, "This is the part I want to point out," and mentioned, "I believe the police completely blocked the solo protest for the purpose of protecting President Yoon Seok-yeol's mood and security." He also said, "A plan should be made to take action against the police officers who made this decision before the comprehensive audit."

Commissioner Jo said, "I will look into the matter," and added, "Necessary measures will be taken."