'Defector's Defection Incident' Related Kimpo Police Chief Suspended... "Inadequate Handling Process" (Update)

A drainage channel in Ganghwa-do, suspected to have been used by defector Mr. Kim to cross into North Korea.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The head of the Gimpo Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, who was in charge of investigating Kim Mo (24), a North Korean defector accused of sexual assault, has been placed on standby in connection with the incident of Kim's re-entry into North Korea.

On the 31st, the National Police Agency announced that Park Jong-sik, the chief of Gimpo Police Station, had been placed on standby. The agency explained the reason for the standby, stating, "There were shortcomings identified in the management of the defector and the handling of the case related to the re-entry of the North Korean defector in Gimpo."

They added, "We will complete the ongoing fact-finding investigation and inspection as soon as possible, and hold those responsible accountable according to the investigation results."

The National Police Agency has formed a joint special investigation team comprising inspection, security, and women and youth divisions to investigate whether the police response was appropriate throughout the process related to this case.

Kim, who defected from North Korea in 2017 and entered South Korea, was confirmed to have recently re-entered North Korea. He had been under police protection for less than five years since his defection. However, the Gimpo Police Station, which was protecting Kim, was unaware of his re-entry into North Korea despite investigating him on sexual assault charges.

It is estimated that Kim re-entered North Korea in the early hours of the 18th of this month. The police imposed a travel ban on him on the 20th, after his re-entry, and applied for an arrest warrant on the 21st.

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