[2020 National Audit] Police Agency Audit Turned into a 'Barricade Audit'... Ruling Party "Legitimate Measure", Opposition "Excessive Response"

On the 8th, at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency, Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong is taking the oath. / Photo by National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Gwan-ju and Song Seung-yoon] On the 8th, during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency, a dispute arose over the police's lockdown of downtown Seoul on Gaecheonjeol and the installation of barricades on Hangeul Day.

The opposition party focused on highlighting the police's "excessive response," while the ruling party argued that the police were performing their rightful duties amid the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Se Beom-su, a member of the People Power Party, said, "For the installation of barricades at Gwanghwamun on Gaecheonjeol, 537 police buses were deployed and 187 companies were mobilized. They pulled in all available personnel," adding, "If the barricades are said to pose a low risk of infection, then only vehicles should have been sent. Why send personnel? That's why the controversy over excessive response arises."

He continued, "No one would oppose the government's thorough efforts to protect the health and lives of the people," but added, "While blocking is necessary, there should have been consideration for doing it harmoniously."

Lee Myung-soo, also from the same party, said, "There are various ways to respond to illegal assemblies," and added, "While I acknowledge the principled response, if you are the head of the police, you need to consider multiple factors comprehensively." He said, "The installation of barricades should be avoided in a principled response," and requested, "The barricades could become a bigger news story on Hangeul Day. Please reconsider."

In response, the ruling party emphasized that the police's installation of barricades was a legitimate measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lee Hyung-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "As seen in the August 15 rally, if infectious diseases spread through gatherings during a critical COVID-19 situation, the economic and social costs will be enormous," and urged, "I ask the National Police Agency chief to respond firmly."

However, there were also opinions that the police's preemptive response and level of enforcement should be adjusted. Oh Young-hoon, from the same party, said, "Thank you for your efforts to block the Gaecheonjeol rally," but added, "Since it should not inconvenience citizens' passage, I think the level should be adjusted so that the Hangeul Day rally does not proceed."

Im Ho-seon, also from the same party, mentioned, "Without prior information such as how many charter buses were mobilized, controversy over excessive response is inevitable," and said, "Advance intelligence activities must be conducted to establish security measures." He added, "Barricades are the last line of defense in quarantine, so please continue your efforts."

In response, Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, said, "We will devise measures to minimize the risk of infectious disease spread while reducing inconvenience to the public."

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