Northern Gyeonggi Police Chief's 'Hair Loss Employee Verbal Abuse' Controversy Spreads... Intensified "Apology Demand"

Solo Protest by Involved Party and Fellow Police Officer
Frontline Officers Respond to Criticism Post on Police Internal Network

Kwon Young-hwan, representative of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency Staff Council, is holding a solo protest on the 29th in front of the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency building in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, demanding an apology for hate speech.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Lee Moon-soo, Commissioner of the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency (Chief Superintendent), sparked controversy by saying "disgusting" to an employee who shaved his head due to hair loss. After hearing this, Sergeant Ryu Chang-min and fellow police officers held a one-person protest demanding an apology from the commissioner, while posts condemning the remark flooded the police internal network.

The commissioner's offensive remark occurred on the 15th during a meeting between the Northern Gyeonggi Police Agency staff council delegation and the newly appointed commissioner. Kim Hyung-geun, co-representative of the staff council who was present at the scene, detailed the situation to Asia Economy on the 30th. Kim said, "Seeing Sergeant Ryu's shaved head, the commissioner said in a casual tone, 'You shaved your head completely. Since you work in a public service department, it might be disgusting, so be careful.' Sergeant Ryu responded with a smile, 'I haven't received any complaints yet,' but the commissioner replied, 'In my view, it's disgusting.'” Kim added, "The previously warm atmosphere suddenly froze after the commissioner's remark." Sergeant Ryu, who shaved his head, works at a district police station in the Ilsan area. It is known that he shaved his head due to early-onset hair loss.

As the incident caused controversy within the police, the commissioner explained on the police internal network, "I meant that the appearance and attire of field officers should be neat, and shaving the head completely could give residents a sense of intimidation and disgust. It was not intended to demean appearance." He also expressed regret, saying, "I deeply apologize for the emotional hurt caused by this unintended misunderstanding."

However, frontline officers' anger has not subsided despite the commissioner's explanation. Criticism such as "the true face of police high-ranking officials steeped in authoritarianism" has emerged. Sergeant Ryu held a one-person protest in front of the police headquarters demanding the commissioner's resignation. Kwon Young-hwan, representative of the Gyeongnam Police Agency staff council, also protested in front of the Northern Gyeonggi Police Agency building in Uijeongbu City, holding a sign that read, "Colleagues nationwide are watching. Apologize." The apology request post Kim Hyung-geun uploaded on the police internal network on the 28th has surpassed 14,000 views and received over 50 supportive comments. It is reported that there has been no response from the commissioner yet.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.