[2020 National Audit] Only 6% of Seoul Police Join the Union... "Prohibition Guidelines Are a Hindrance"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Although the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Workplace Council has marked four months since its launch, the membership rate remains low. It has been pointed out that the standard guidelines set by the National Police Agency, which designate the scope of Workplace Council membership, are hindering the activation of the council.

On the 15th, Lee Eun-ju, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Justice Party, revealed that according to the membership status of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Workplace Council submitted by the National Police Agency, out of 2,435 personnel at the rank of police inspector and below (including administrative officers), only 146 (6%) have joined. Excluding 468 personnel from intelligence, security, and foreign affairs police, and 755 personnel from investigation and audit police from the total, the membership rate rises to 12%.

Current law prohibits public officials in command or supervisory positions or those engaged in personnel, budget, confidentiality, security, and guard duties from joining the Workplace Council. However, it also stipulates that the head of the institution must designate and announce the positions and duties prohibited from joining the Workplace Council in consultation with the council. While there are regulations on prohibited membership, this allows more public officials to join the council through consultation.

However, Lee pointed out that the National Police Agency conservatively presents guidelines on the scope of Workplace Council membership by specifying the positions and duties prohibited from joining in detail through its internal explanatory document titled 'Standard Guidelines on Positions and Duties Prohibited from Joining the Police Workplace Council.'

As a result, looking at the membership status among police inspectors and below across 18 local police agencies, the rates were as follows: Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency 6.0%, Busan Metropolitan Police Agency 32.2%, Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency 6.2%, Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency 15.6%, Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency 19.2%, Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency 29.1%, Sejong Metropolitan Police Agency 19.1%, Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency 14.1%, Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency 1.0%, Gangwon Provincial Police Agency 26.4%, Chungbuk Provincial Police Agency 22.5%, Chungnam Provincial Police Agency 42.1%, Jeollanam-do Provincial Police Agency 19.9%, Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Police Agency 36.6%, Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Police Agency 0.9%, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Police Agency 23.8%. Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency and Jeollabuk-do Provincial Police Agency have not yet established Workplace Councils.

Lee stated, "In the case of the police, restrictions on the scope of Workplace Council membership make it difficult to achieve the practical effect intended by the Workplace Council law," emphasizing, "Except for very special positions, all personnel at the rank of police inspector and below should be allowed to join."

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