Road Traffic Authority "Apologizes for Using Photo of Chinese Police Uniform in Newsletter"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Lee Jumin, Chairman of the Road Traffic Authority, apologized on the 17th for the publication of a photo of a child dressed in Chinese public security uniform in the comprehensive information magazine issued by the Authority, saying, "I bow my head and apologize to the public."

In his apology statement on the same day, Chairman Lee said, "As a public institution, I deeply acknowledge the responsibility for failing to meet the public's expectations and for using an inappropriate photo, and I offer my sincere apologies."

Chairman Lee explained, "We purchased and used the photo found by searching 'child police officer' in the 'Domestic Photographer Photos' category on a paid image site for advertising drafts. We did not recognize the similarity between the child's outfit in the photo and the Chinese police uniform and used it in the draft. All copies of the 'Traffic Light March-April 2021 issue' booklet containing the draft have been discarded, and the e-book pages on the website have been replaced with different drafts."

Earlier, the Authority published a photo of a child wearing a Chinese public security uniform saluting on the last page of the March-April issue of the bimonthly comprehensive information magazine "Traffic Light." Above the photo, four rules to follow in child protection zones were introduced: no parking or stopping, checking front and sides, driving slowly, and stopping temporarily at crosswalks.

Chairman Lee promised, "The Authority will make every effort to thoroughly review and verify the accuracy and appropriateness of the content included in promotional materials to prevent such incidents from recurring and to publish correct information."

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