New Seoul Police Chief: "Strict Management of Protests at President's Residence and Office"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Kim Kwang-ho, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated on the 20th regarding the controversial protests at the President's residence and office, "We will enforce the strictest management possible under current laws."

At a press conference held for the first time since his appointment that morning, Commissioner Kim said, "Citizens have expressed great discomfort due to the noise from the protests, so I believe a review of the relevant laws is necessary." He added, "If orders to maintain or stop noise issued by the police are not complied with, strict judicial measures will be taken accordingly. We will proceed according to the procedures stipulated in the Assembly and Demonstration Act and other related laws, and if stricter restrictions are needed, such as banning assemblies, we will proactively consider them to manage the situation without causing inconvenience to citizens."

Commissioner Kim also stated, "Illegal acts will be punished without fail, even if we have to seek them out." He explained that the immediate action taken against the Korea Disabled People's Development Institute (Jeonjangyeon) for attempting to block citizens' movement using ladders was in line with this approach. Regarding the investigation into Jeonjangyeon's subway boarding and alighting and road occupation protests, he said, "One out of 11 Jeonjangyeon members has been questioned, and summonses are being issued to the remaining individuals to ensure a swift investigation."

Regarding amendments to related laws, Commissioner Kim said, "It is necessary to create a consensus and discussion body involving the police agency managing the Assembly and Demonstration Act, citizens, and the media to proactively amend laws so that acts disturbing others' residential rights and right to sleep in managing protest noise can be strictly controlled." He added, "The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is an enforcement body for established laws, but as the Commissioner, I intend to strongly advocate for necessary amendments to the National Police Agency."

On the reason for issuing a ban notice on the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union's protest near the President's office, Commissioner Kim explained, "It did not meet the conditions set by the court." He elaborated, "The court's conditions are that the protest must have fewer than 500 participants, be held before 5 p.m., and take place in a location where the protest can be managed safely. The Public Service and Transport Workers' Union filed the protest after 5 p.m., so the ban notice was issued." Regarding the ongoing main lawsuit related to the protest in front of the President's office, he said, "The court has not clearly ruled on whether the presidential residence is included in the President's office space, and I do not believe resources are being wasted on a lawsuit with an obvious conclusion."

Regarding the final recommendation to be announced on the 21st by the Police System Improvement Advisory Committee under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which includes the establishment of a Police Bureau, Commissioner Kim refrained from commenting, saying, "It is not appropriate as the Seoul Commissioner to express an opinion before a finalized plan is released." However, he added, "Policies should not be driven by police convenience. From the perspective that failing to provide better procedures and conveniences to citizens through thorough, citizen-centered review is unacceptable, this needs to be considered carefully."

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