Yoon Remains Silent on Police Collective Action Warning... "Will Take Necessary Measures" (Update)

Possibility of Follow-up Actions by Ministry of the Interior and Safety and National Police Agency... Kim Dae-gi Chief Secretary Mentioned "Meeting of Senior Police Officers Inappropriate" the Day Before

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the 25th, President Yoon Seok-yeol addressed the frontline police officers' opposition to the establishment of the Police Bureau, stating, "I believe the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency will take the necessary measures properly." The day before, the Presidential Office issued a statement that the National Police Agency's decision to place the Ulsan Jungbu Police Station Chief, who led the 'National Police Chiefs Meeting,' on standby and to initiate an investigation into the senior officers attending the meeting was a violation of service regulations.

On the morning of the 25th, President Yoon expressed this position to reporters on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office regarding the police's announcement of collective action. Currently, while the Ministry of the Interior and Safety argues for the need for an oversight organization to monitor the police, frontline officers are voicing opposition to the establishment of the Police Bureau, claiming it infringes on their independence.

Although President Yoon did not make a direct statement on the matter, considering his reference to the 'measures' by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency, it is highly likely that the current policy stance will be maintained. Last weekend, Kim Dae-gi, Chief of the Presidential Secretariat, met with reporters for the first time since the new government took office and stated, "It is inappropriate for senior police officers to hold meetings; I have been a public official for 35 years and speak from past experience," which many interpret as conveying President Yoon's position.

Another official from the Presidential Office emphasized, "The security officials left their regions to hold the meeting, and the police leadership ordered the dispersal before and during the meeting," calling it a "clear violation of command and service regulations." Regarding claims that there were no disciplinary actions during the meetings of ordinary prosecutors who opposed the so-called 'Prosecutor's Office Reform Law,' the office stated that the nature of meetings held by ordinary prosecutors gathering opinions and those held by security chiefs such as station chiefs are fundamentally different.

However, the Presidential Office also drew a line on the possibility of President Yoon personally intervening, as he did during the police superintendent personnel turmoil in June. Chief Kim said, "It does not seem like an issue for the President to intervene," adding, "Since it concerns discipline, it is a matter for the National Police Agency, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Office for Government Policy Coordination." President Yoon's brief remarks on the incident and his comment on the National Assembly's government questioning session?"(Ministers) respond to members of the National Assembly, but since it is also an explanation to the public, I expect they will explain well so that the public can understand"?before leaving the scene reflect this stance.

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