People Power Party on Police Collective Action: "Unacceptable" · "Shocked by National Order Disruption"

26th Morning People Power Party Floor Strategy Meeting Held
Kwon Seong-dong: "Like the Military, Police Are Public Authority Holding Guns"

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] The People Power Party has labeled the police's collective backlash against the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's establishment of the Police Bureau as "insubordination" and a "coup," stating that it is "unacceptable."

Kwon Seong-dong, acting party leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th, "Like the military, the police hold the public authority with firearms," adding, "Any insubordination or collective action will not be tolerated."

Acting leader Kwon stated, "If the military were to resist institutional reform and engage in collective action by leaving their jurisdictional area, who would tolerate that?" He added, "The military's insubordination and the police's insubordination are the same. They must be held accountable with the same weight."

He also criticized the police opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, who advocate for "control through the National Police Commission," saying, "Currently, the Police Commission members were appointed by former President Moon Jae-in," and "Chairman Kim Ho-cheol is a former president of Minbyun, and member Ha Ju-hee is the secretary-general of Minbyun. If the police are controlled by the Police Commission, this is not democratic control but control by Minbyun."

He urged the government to take a "firm response." Acting leader Kwon emphasized, "The government must take all measures, including criminal punishment, in accordance with the law and principles and respond firmly."

Song Eon-seok, senior deputy floor leader, also criticized at the meeting, saying, "We cannot help but be shocked by the national disgrace caused by the police leadership responsible for public security leaving their jurisdiction and engaging in collective insubordination for political purposes," and "The recent holiday gathering of frontline police leaders clearly showed disobedience to the highest command and political motives."

Along with this, Deputy Floor Leader Song said, "A police force armed with weapons and capable of detaining citizens ignoring the command system and engaging in insubordination is no different from a coup," adding, "We hope the insubordinate faction within the police immediately stop holding the public hostage and inciting social unrest, faithfully follow the command system established by the Constitution and laws, and remember that responsibility will be imposed for any wrongdoing."

Lee Chae-ik, chairman of the National Assembly's Administrative and Security Committee and member of the People Power Party, also explained in an MBC radio interview on the same day, "Since the confirmation hearing for the Police Commissioner candidate is scheduled for August 4, we will create a forum where concerns and opinions from the public can be raised through current issue inquiries."

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