Bangbae Police Chief Who Blocked Farmers Driving Tractors Reported for Abuse of Power and Other Charges

"Physically Blocking Citizens in the Cold of Minus 7 Degrees"

A complaint has been filed against the police who blocked farmers driving tractors near Namtaryeong Hill in Seocho-gu, Seoul, while demanding the impeachment and arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Tractors are stopped near Namtaeryeong, Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 22nd, where the Jeon Bong-jun Struggle Group of the National Farmers' Federation staged a tractor protest demanding the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol and continued a standoff for over 20 hours. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 22nd, lawyer Kim Kyungho stated, "We are filing a complaint against the police for physically blocking citizens at the Namtaryeong rally site in Seoul in minus 7 degrees Celsius cold, completely denying basic human rights such as access to drinking water, restrooms, and cold-weather supplies," adding, "As a result, citizens faced threats to their survival, which constitutes abuse of authority, violation of the Police Duties Execution Act, and infringement of constitutional fundamental rights."

He continued, "Although the police's basic duty is to 'protect the life, body, and property of the people,' at the Namtaryeong site, the police instead exposed citizens to extreme danger."

Earlier, the Jeon Bong-jun Struggle Group of the National Farmers' Federation was blocked by police near Namtaryeong Hill in Seocho-gu, Seoul, around noon the previous day while attempting to enter Seoul via Gwacheon-daero.

They intended to move to the Yongsan Presidential Residence and the Gwanghwamun candlelight rally site, but the police reportedly installed barricades to block entry, citing traffic inconvenience.

In response, the Jeon Bong-jun Struggle Group continued an overnight protest with citizens, during which two rally participants were detained on charges of assaulting police officers.