South Jeolla Police Caught Drunk Driving Again... Third Case Already This Year

Voices Pointing to Lax Discipline Growing

A senior police officer at a police station in South Jeolla Province was caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Including this case, there have already been three cases of police officers in the South Jeolla region being caught for drunk driving this year, raising concerns that discipline within the organization has seriously deteriorated.

According to the South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency on June 10, Inspector A from the Gurye Police Station in South Jeolla was caught driving under the influence on a road in Yeonggwang County, South Jeolla, on June 7. At the time, Inspector A's blood alcohol concentration was reportedly at the level that warrants license suspension. The South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency has suspended Inspector A from duty and launched an investigation into the case.

Some point out that the misconduct of South Jeolla police officers has crossed the line.

Previously, in April, Officer B from the South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency was caught driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level high enough for license revocation on the Second Ring Road in Gwangsan District, Gwangju, during the early morning hours. In March, Inspector C from the South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency was also found to have been driving under the influence after causing a solo accident on a road in Dasi-myeon, Naju. As a result, there have already been three drunk driving cases involving police officers in South Jeolla this year alone.

The incidents have involved officers of all ranks, from entry-level officers to mid-level inspectors.

The South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency has conducted special inspections and related training whenever drunk driving violations by staff occur. However, there are complaints that these measures have had no real effect in the field. There is even talk of an inspection by the National Police Agency, the higher authority, indicating a sense of unrest throughout the South Jeolla police organization.

A representative from the South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency stated, "As police officers, we should set an example, so there is nothing to say about these unfortunate incidents within our ranks. Regardless of being a police officer, drunk driving is something that must be absolutely prohibited, so it is truly regrettable."