Sajunmo Demands "Comprehensive Survey and Disciplinary Action for Police Officers Entering Law School"... Requests Audit from National Police Agency

Criticism at Previous Day's National Audit
Police Chief: "No Grounds for Restrictions if Not Illegal"

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's National Police Agency audit held on the 8th at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] As the issue of current police officers entering law school has once again become a topic at the National Police Agency's audit, the civic group that first pointed out the issue has requested a full investigation from the National Police Agency.

The Association of Judicial Exam Preparers (Sajunmo) announced on the 9th in a press release, "we have submitted a request for an audit to the National Police Agency, demanding a full investigation and disciplinary action regarding police officers entering law school."

Through the audit request, Sajunmo stated, "Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Min-chul revealed during the National Assembly audit that police officers have been using the special leave system for public officials to take 'childcare time' over 100 times, and are attending law school in a morally inappropriate manner." They added, "Police academy graduates receive various benefits during their police service, and the public views unfavorably those who receive such benefits but do not fully dedicate themselves to police duties and instead enter law school."

They continued, "If this situation is left unattended, the purpose of operating the police academy for good reasons will be attacked, and voices calling for the abolition of the police academy will grow louder," adding, "There is also an issue of fairness compared to those who started their police careers through the regular police recruitment exam."

Sajunmo requested, "The Commissioner of the National Police Agency should conduct a full investigation into the number of respondents (police officers entering law school), discipline those who fall under grounds for disciplinary action as public officials, and correct the fairness issues arising within the police."

At the National Police Agency audit held by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee the day before, Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong responded to lawmaker Kim's related inquiry by saying, "There is no basis to restrict it unless it is illegal." Commissioner Kim said, "Being a lawyer is a qualification that is useful for police work and a good means after retirement, so many seem to attend law school."

Regarding the criticism that some attend law school while on parental leave, he said, "We will take measures against misuse of leave or vacation for purposes other than intended."

According to the National Assembly audit data submitted by lawmaker Kim from the National Police Agency, 66 current police officers are enrolled in law school this year. Of these, 64 (97%) are police academy graduates.

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