Next Year’s Police Riot Squad Budget Cut by 3.5 Billion Won... Opposition Party Draws Sword Against Violent Suppression

Assemblyman Han Chang-min Suffers Fracture at Rally
Police Chief Refuses to Apologize Until the End

At the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee Budget and Accounts Subcommittee, the budget for the operation and management of the Police Agency's riot police unit for next year was cut by 3.514 billion KRW.

Mo Kyung-jong, Democratic Party of Korea member. Photo by Asia Economy DB

According to Mo Gyeong-jong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, a total of 6.981 billion KRW was reduced from the Police Agency's general account budget proposal. Major reductions include 300 million KRW for helicopter operation and modernization, 3.514 billion KRW for riot police unit operation and management, 2.922 billion KRW for investigation support, and 245 million KRW for public safety activity support.

Representative Mo stated at the budget subcommittee that since the Police Agency currently has sufficient safety management equipment, a reduction of 6.457 billion KRW excluding the budget for the introduction of hygiene vehicles is necessary. In fact, the police's possession of safety fences has nearly doubled. The number of vehicle-type, mobile, and foldable safety fences increased from 696 last year to 1,172 this year.

Earlier, on the 9th, the Democratic Party, the Party for Justice and Innovation, the Progressive Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Basic Income Party announced budget cuts, accusing the police of provoking clashes during peaceful assemblies and demonstrations by deploying security forces armed with all kinds of suppression equipment, creating an atmosphere of fear. At the scene, Han Chang-min, a member of the Social Democratic Party, attempted to mediate for the safety of both police and citizens but was grabbed by the neck and had his clothes torn.

Ten lawmakers, including Park Ju-min, Lee Yong-woo, Kim Yoon, Park Hong-bae, and Kang Kyung-sook of the Democratic Party, Jeong Chun-saeng of the Party for Justice and Innovation, Yoon Jong-oh and Jeong Hye-kyung of the Progressive Party, and Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party, demanded an apology from Police Commissioner Jo Ji-ho and measures to prevent recurrence. However, Commissioner Jo refused to apologize despite receiving protest letters from the lawmakers.