"South Korea Provides Bulletproof Cover in 2-3 Seconds... Compared to Abe Era," Japanese Media Focuses on Korean Security

On the afternoon of March 24, former President Park Geun-hye arrived at her private residence in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, and was delivering a national address when a soju bottle suddenly flew toward her. Security guards are protecting former President Park.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Japanese media have focused on the security detail of South Korea's former president. This comes amid criticism of the lax response by security personnel during the shooting of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, prompting comparative evaluations.

On the 23rd, the Yomiuri Shimbun introduced the response of the South Korean security team when former President Park Geun-hye was attacked with a soju bottle in March. The newspaper stated, "As soon as the soju bottle was thrown, several security guards quickly rushed over within just 2 to 3 seconds," adding that "(the security guards) surrounded her in multiple layers and raised a bulletproof cover."

It then commented that these movements by the South Korean security personnel were in stark contrast to the incident involving former Prime Minister Abe. Earlier, in Japan, there was widespread criticism that security was inadequate during Abe’s shooting on the 8th. It was revealed that the shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, a former Maritime Self-Defense Force member, approached Abe without any obstruction and fired two shots.

The newspaper pointed out that after the shots were fired at former Prime Minister Abe, the nearby security guards rushing to subdue the shooter was not the primary role of security personnel, which is originally to ensure the safety of the principal. "Because it is unknown where a second or third attack might come from, in unusual situations, security personnel cover or make the principal lie down to protect their life," it explained. The newspaper also reported that there are criticisms that the Japanese security team’s judgment regarding the possibility of a shooting was itself inadequate.

In fact, videos of the shooting incident show Yamagami firing twice at intervals of about 3 seconds. At that time, the nearby security guards hesitated for 3 seconds immediately after the first gunshot and did not take action to surround former Prime Minister Abe. Abe was startled by the first shot and turned around but was hit by the second bullet and collapsed, eventually dying.

Furthermore, the newspaper highlighted that South Korean presidents continue to receive the same level of security even after leaving office. It introduced South Korea’s system, stating, "South Korea’s 'Presidential Security Service' is responsible for the security of the president and their family with about 400 security personnel, and the president receives security at the same level as during their term for up to 15 years after leaving office."

Meanwhile, as concerns about gun-related crimes have recently increased in Japan, the Japanese National Police Agency plans to review and significantly revise the security system. The current security system in Japan was established following the 1992 shooting incident involving Shin Kanemaru, then Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party, and has been in place for 30 years.

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