Police Officer Who Leaked "Lee Seongyun Investigation Information" Loses First Trial Over Dismissal Appeal

Court: "Police Officer Gravely Undermined Public Trust in Law Enforcement"
Dismissal Upheld for Leaking Investigation Details on Lee Seongyun’s Case

A police officer who leaked investigation information regarding the late actor Lee Seongyun, who died while under investigation for alleged drug use, filed a lawsuit against his dismissal but lost the case.

According to Yonhap News on August 22, the Incheon District Court Administrative Division 1-3 (Presiding Judge Jang Yujin) ruled against former police lieutenant A, who had filed a lawsuit to overturn his dismissal against the Commissioner of Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency.

Former lieutenant A was accused of leaking investigation progress materials (investigation progress reports) related to Lee's drug case by photographing and sending them to two journalists, including B, in October 2023. The report he leaked was prepared by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency on October 18, 2023, and contained personal information such as the names, criminal records, status, and occupations of those involved in Lee's drug case.

On January 12 last year, cultural artists urged for a thorough investigation and other demands during the statement announcement titled "Cultural Artists' Demands Facing the Death of the Late Actor Lee Seongyun" held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

An entertainment media outlet that received the material from B reported a photo of the edited report and its contents on December 28, 2023, the day after Lee's death. In response, the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency convened a disciplinary committee and dismissed former lieutenant A for violating the duty of diligence and confidentiality. Dismissal is considered a severe disciplinary action for police officers, along with removal, demotion, and suspension.

However, former lieutenant A appealed the disciplinary action through a personnel review. After the review was rejected, he filed an administrative lawsuit in February, claiming the decision was unfair.

Former lieutenant A's side argued, "Given the usual relationship between police and journalists, providing information and cooperating with journalists should not be subject to harsh criticism," and added, "Considering his deep remorse for the misconduct and his ten years of diligent service as a police officer, dismissal is excessively harsh and therefore unlawful."

However, the court found that the grounds for disciplinary action were justified and the procedures were legally proper. The court stated, "Due to the nature of his duties, former lieutenant A was required to uphold a high standard of lawfulness and professional ethics as a police officer," and explained, "He held a position where he was fully aware of the importance of protecting the personal information of suspects under investigation and maintaining the confidentiality of investigation details."

The court further stated, "If the status of a person under investigation is leaked, it can hinder the investigation," and added, "The defendant unlawfully disclosed information acquired without proper authority, thereby infringing on the rights of those under investigation and undermining the public nature of police work. The seriousness of the misconduct is therefore very grave."

Former lieutenant A has appealed the ruling. The appeal will be heard by the Incheon Branch of the Seoul High Court. He is also on trial at the Incheon District Court on charges including leaking official secrets. Previously, an investigator from the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office (aged 44), who informed a local newspaper reporter about Lee's investigation status on two occasions, was also indicted and is standing trial alongside former lieutenant A.

Lee was booked as a criminal suspect on October 14, 2023, and was summoned for police questioning three times over two months. Four days after the third questioning, on December 26, 2023, he was found dead near Waryong Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul.