CEO Han Chang-min Grabbed by the Nape and Clothes Torn
Assemblyman Yoon Gun-young "Only Conservative Rallies Guaranteed Hotel-style"
Chairman of the Public Administration Committee "A Situation Where the People Are Trampled"
Opposition lawmakers belonging to the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee launched a fierce attack on the police's harsh crackdown during last weekend's rally on the 11th. Police Chief Jo Ji-ho firmly refused to apologize, stating, "I completely disagree."
Hanchangmin, leader of the Social Democratic Party, is being subdued by the police. Online community
Yoon Geon-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the full meeting of the Public Administration and Security Committee that day, "The police's behavior was one-sided and unfair. Conservative rallies were guaranteed hotel-like treatment, while progressive rallies were like citizens abandoned on the ground. How can we just stand by after seeing this?" He pointed out, "Han Chang-min, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, was grabbed by the neck and slammed down by the police."
Lee Sang-sik, a Democratic Party lawmaker, criticized, "The police did not budge at all when the organizers requested to open a lane. This is a serious violation of the constitutional right to assembly. It is a ploy to reduce the size of the rally calling for the resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. They are solely focused on protecting the president and his spouse." Park Jeong-hyun, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "I wonder if the police were waiting not to manage the rally but to suppress it," and sharpened his criticism by saying, "Excessive suppression like a rabbit drive is a challenge to democracy." Lee Kwang-hee, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said, "Forces armed with batons and shields were deployed," adding, "This is a scene never seen in previous rallies. It reminds me of the Baekgol-dan."
Yong Hye-in, a member of the Basic Income Party, stated, "Usually, the police do not come to the rally site armed like last week," and added, "I believe there was a clear intention to create an intimidating atmosphere and to threaten." Jeong Chun-saeng, a member of the Party for National Innovation, said, "Leader Han tried to mediate to maintain order, but the police suppressed him forcefully," and warned, "If this continues, the police might provoke violent clashes."
Chief Jo stood firm against the criticism of harsh suppression. He said, "Lawful rallies are guaranteed. If they turn illegal, dispersal orders are issued," and added, "While it is regrettable that clashes occurred during the process, I completely disagree with the claim that they were induced."
Shin Jeong-hoon, chairman of the Public Administration and Security Committee, declared an adjournment, saying, "I requested a prevention of recurrence and at least a minimal expression of regret regarding the situation where the people and lawmakers were trampled upon, but (Chief Jo) remains obstinate. It is expected that such situations will continue."
Earlier, Police Chief Jo Ji-ho said at a regular morning press briefing that day regarding the police subduing Han Chang-min, leader of the Social Democratic Party, at the rally site, "Has it been confirmed that (the neck was grabbed)? It has not been confirmed that he fell due to police physical force. If there is video evidence, I will acknowledge it," raising his voice. Chief Jo added, "We were trying to clear a passage, but (Leader Han) came accompanied by a YouTuber. We safely enforced distancing measures, but he approached again." Regarding the criticism of the police's harsh crackdown, Chief Jo said, "We fully complied with the procedures under the Assembly and Demonstration Act," and stated, "It is difficult to agree."
Leader Han explained, "The police blocked the road as if they could not tolerate the rally formation expanding. We agreed to clear the first lane, but they ignored it. A scuffle broke out during the forced push-in. I said I was a lawmaker and shouted that people would get hurt if there was a clash, but they were reckless. Eventually, I was pushed down and dragged out. My clothes were torn, and I sustained bruises all over my body."
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