Police in 'Balaclavas'... Citizens Say "Scary and Uncomfortable"

Jeju Autonomous Police Conduct Seat Belt Crackdown with Faces and Names Covered
Citizens Say, "We Don't Even Know Who Is Stopping Us, It's Unsettling"
Police Respond, "No Regulations... Left to Discretion on Site"
Authorities Have Ignored External Calls for Reform for Years

On the 26th, a police officer from the Jeju Autonomous Police Agency was conducting traffic violation enforcement on a road in Jeju City while wearing a full-face UV protection mask. Photo by Park Changwon

On the afternoon of the 26th, the Jeju Autonomous Police Agency conducted traffic law enforcement on a road in Jeju City. Several police officers were deployed at the scene along with patrol cars, and the crackdown mainly focused on drivers who were not wearing seat belts.

What stood out at the enforcement site was the attire of some police officers. Three officers were wearing black and white full-face UV protection masks, which went beyond the level of ordinary masks and resembled balaclavas. Some also wore sunglasses and hats, making their faces almost completely unrecognizable.

Citizens who witnessed this expressed discomfort and intimidation. A Jeju City resident, identified as Mr. A, said, "I knew they were police officers, but as soon as I saw them wearing black balaclavas, it reminded me of a scene from a crime movie," adding, "I couldn't see their facial expressions or know which department they belonged to, so as someone being stopped, it felt very threatening."

Not only were their faces covered, but their identification information was also obscured. The officers were wearing reflective vests, which covered their name tags, department, and rank insignia. Visibly, only the words "Jeju Autonomous Police" could be seen, so citizens could not tell which precinct the officers belonged to, who they were, or what their rank was.

Regarding this, an official from the Jeju Autonomous Police Agency stated, "There are currently no clear regulations prohibiting or restricting the wearing of full-face masks. The use of such masks for UV protection or personal health reasons is left to the discretion of the situation on site," adding, "However, going forward, we will strengthen education and guidance to ensure that, at the very least, officers lower their masks when interacting with those being stopped."

An official from the Jeju National Police Agency also said, "As far as I know, there are no specific enforcement regulations regarding the wearing of balaclavas for national police officers either." However, regarding the issue of name tags being covered by vests, the official explained that detachable Velcro name tags are being introduced and gradually distributed.

Jeju Autonomous Police Agency is conducting traffic law enforcement on a road in Jeju City. Photo by Park Changwon

There are also clear challenges faced by police officers in the field. During outdoor enforcement, they are continuously exposed to ultraviolet rays and must endure both the heat and responding to public complaints. Wearing masks for health reasons during the COVID-19 pandemic, on days with high levels of yellow dust, or when UV rays are particularly strong, is something all citizens can understand. However, whether this reality can justify the lack of transparency in law enforcement is a separate issue.

In fact, both national and autonomous police have explained that there are no clear regulations regarding uniforms. However, the National Human Rights Commission and the Board of Audit and Inspection have repeatedly pointed out in 2019 and 2021, respectively, that "covering faces and not displaying identification undermines public trust." Nevertheless, police organizations continue to delay institutional improvements by stating that "there are no clear guidelines."

The sight of police officers wearing balaclavas while performing official duties and stopping citizens gives the impression that the convenience of law enforcers is being prioritized over the fairness of law enforcement.

There are now calls for the National Police Agency to establish detailed uniform guidelines, restrict face coverings to the level of balaclavas, and mandate visible identification that citizens can confirm with the naked eye. What is more concerning than ultraviolet rays is the 'anonymity of law enforcement.' Trust does not begin with a uniform that hides the face, but with the responsibility shown by revealing one's face.