Police: "Human Rights Commission's Recommendation to Protect Wednesday Demonstrations Does Not Constitute Abuse of Authority"

The regular Wednesday Demonstration to resolve the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery, which began in 1992, will mark its 30th anniversary on the 8th. However, this year's demonstration will again be held a little away from the usual location in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, instead of right next to the Statue of Peace. The photo shows the area around the Statue of Peace on the 5th, ahead of the 30th anniversary 1525th regular Wednesday Demonstration. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) recommended that the Jongno Police Station in Seoul actively protect the Wednesday Demonstrations. However, a conservative group accused the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of abuse of authority, but the police judged that no crime was committed.

On the 20th, the Jungbu Police Station in Seoul announced that it dismissed the case in which Kim Byung-heon, the representative of the Citizens' Action for the Abolition of the Comfort Women Law, filed a complaint on the 2nd against Song Doo-hwan, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, on charges of abuse of authority and violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act.

A police official stated, "The crime of abuse of authority requires that the Human Rights Commission compel the Jongno Police Chief to perform duties that are not obligatory. After comprehensive review of various aspects, it was judged that no crime was established."

In January, organizations including Jeongui Civic Group (Jeonguiyeon) filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission and requested emergency relief, claiming that the state authority neglected the continuous obstruction such as verbal abuse and defamation by conservative groups at the regular Wednesday Demonstrations addressing the issue of Japanese military comfort women victims. The Human Rights Commission recommended that the Jongno Police Chief take active protective measures to ensure the Wednesday Demonstrations proceed without interference and advised the opposing demonstration groups to change the time and place of their assemblies.

Representative Kim said, "The Human Rights Commission's recommendation ignores the complainant's assembly, which was lawfully reported under the Assembly and Demonstration Act, and unlawfully forces favor toward Jeonguiyeon," and filed a complaint against Chairperson Song.

The Jongno Police Station reportedly stated during the investigation that they had been managing the Wednesday Demonstrations held at the same time and place even before the Human Rights Commission's recommendation, implying that they did not perform any non-obligatory duties due to the recommendation.

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