Seoul Police Union: "MOIS Advisory Committee Recommendations Mean a Return to the Past"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Seongpil Jo and Gyumin Oh] The Seoul Police Workplace Council condemned the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's recommendation to establish a Police Bureau and other police control measures on the 21st, calling it a "policy that undermines the independence and neutrality of the police."

The delegation of the Seoul Police Workplace Council held a press conference at 2 p.m. in front of the Gwanghwamun Government Seoul Office and stated, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Police System Improvement Advisory Committee's recommendation is a regression to the past and an idea to entrust the Minister of the Interior and Safety with public security and investigation command according to the future discussion direction of the Police System Development Committee." The delegation pointed out, "The unilateral police control by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety without national consensus goes against the trend of pursuing democratic policing, and amending subordinate laws contrary to the purpose of the law should be remembered as directly leading to the birth of a police force vulnerable to power."

The delegation further urged the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, saying, "The police need democratic checks, not control," and demanded, "Immediately stop attempts to control the police by the minister." They also called for "the withdrawal of the establishment of police-related support organizations within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the enactment of command rules, and the strengthening of the status and capabilities of the National Police Commission and the Autonomous Police Commission for democratic checks." Additionally, the delegation added, "Opinions on checking police power must come solely from the people," and "We strongly urge institutional improvements based on national consensus for the independence and neutrality of the police."

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