[The Police File] Refusal to Apologize Despite 'Budget Cut Warning'... The Police Chief Demonstrates True Leadership

On the 19th, at the Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency building, five opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Korea visited to protest, demanding an apology and punishment of those responsible, claiming that the police used violent suppression during demonstrations in downtown Seoul organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and others. Representatives such as Park Ju-min and Park Hong-bae from the Democratic Party, Jeong Chun-saeng from the Innovation Party, Yoon Jong-oh from the Progressive Party, Han Chang-min from the Social Democratic Party, and Yong Hye-in from the Basic Income Party stated at a press conference that this was a “clear challenge to the principle of popular sovereignty and the freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea.”

Immediately after the press conference, they held a 50-minute meeting with Police Commissioner Jo Ji-ho. At the meeting, Commissioner Jo maintained a firm stance, saying, “It was a restrained exercise of public authority” and “It was to prevent violent incidents based on prior information.” Despite continued demands for an apology from the lawmakers, Commissioner Jo said, “As the person responsible for public safety, I feel a strong sense of responsibility and regret,” but drew a line by adding, “The situation was such that we could not overlook the inconvenience caused to ordinary citizens due to the continuation of illegal assemblies.”

Earlier, on the 9th, during the 'First General Rally for the Resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration' hosted by the KCTU and others, 11 participants (10 union members and 1 citizen) were detained by the police. They are suspected of assaulting police officers or disobeying police orders to disperse. The police are investigating the KCTU leadership, including Chairman Yang, on suspicion of premeditating illegal acts.

As Commissioner Jo repeatedly refused to apologize, the opposition parties took measures to cut the police budget. On the 13th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting, “They say the police are the people's baton, but they have become the power's club wielded against the people. This behavior must be thoroughly reformed,” adding, “This point must be clearly reflected in the budget review process,” which then became reality. The National Assembly’s Administrative and Security Committee’s Budget and Accounts Subcommittee cut 3.514 billion KRW from next year’s Police Agency riot police operation and management budget and 3.167 billion KRW from special activity expenses.

In particular, the full cut of special activity expenses, which are used for confidential criminal investigations such as undercover drug transactions, has caused strong backlash among investigative police officers. Critics argue that eliminating police special activity funds directly used for intelligence and case investigations contradicts the recent trend in the National Assembly to expand police investigative authority, such as permitting undercover investigations into digital sex crimes.

However, the atmosphere within the police toward Commissioner Jo is quite different. Contrary to expectations that there would be complaints due to budget cuts, the majority sympathize with Commissioner Jo’s firm refusal to apologize. A frontline police officer said, “Although operations will become difficult due to budget cuts, as the head of 140,000 police officers, he responded appropriately,” adding, “If the chief shows a willingness to take full responsibility, officers like us working on the ground can also respond according to principles.” Another senior police official said, “The morale of the staff likely improved seeing that the Police Commissioner is not swayed by politicians demanding apologies under the pretext of budget cuts.”

Regardless of the public opinion toward Commissioner Jo, who has just passed 100 days in office, his approach to this incident seems sufficient to gain the support of the 140,000 police officers. At least this time, Commissioner Jo’s steadfastness appears to have earned considerable empathy from his colleagues.