Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-yeong to Yoon Hee-geun: "Please issue an official directive to gather colleagues' opinions"

"Prosecutors' meetings are legitimate under Prosecutor General's orders"
"Focus on conveying colleagues' opinions rather than explaining government policies"
"140,000-member general meeting causes public concern"

On the afternoon of the 26th, Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-yeong is holding a press conference at the Ulsan City Hall Press Center.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Ryu Sam-young, Commissioner General who was placed on standby after leading the nationwide police chiefs meeting, said on the 26th to Yoon Hee-geun, the nominee for Commissioner General of the National Police Agency (acting commissioner), "I hope you will issue an official directive that fully reflects the opinions of your colleagues."

Commissioner General Ryu posted on the police internal network in the afternoon, stating, "Police officers are demanding ways for their opinions to be expressed," and added, "The prosecution meeting was held under the official directive of the Prosecutor General, so it is considered legitimate." He also wrote, "Rather than explaining government policies, I hope you will listen carefully to what our police officers are truly concerned about," and "It is the duty of the acting commissioner to officially convey those concerns to the government."

To his fellow police officers, Commissioner General Ryu emphasized, "It is time to stabilize the police organization we love and to work in harmony with the public," and said, "Continuous attention to parliamentary activities and efforts to inform the public about the unfairness of enforcement ordinances must continue." However, he added, "We must no longer cause public anxiety," and stated, "Now, we must heal the emotional wounds we have inflicted on each other and unite without division to overcome the crisis facing the police."

He also mentioned, "The commissioners' meeting represented the opinions of all frontline police colleagues," but noted, "Perhaps because the opinions of colleagues were not fully expressed, meetings by rank or gatherings of 140,000 police officers have been discussed." He continued, "If police officers push for another meeting here, it may cause concern among the public," and expressed concern that "Our voices might be so loud that it becomes difficult to hear the voice of the people."

Earlier, on the 23rd, Commissioner General Ryu was placed on standby and reassigned to the Ulsan Police Agency’s Public Safety Department, Police Planning, Information, and Equipment Division after leading the nationwide chiefs meeting at the Chungnam Asan Police Human Resources Development Institute. An investigation is underway regarding the 56 commissioners who attended the chiefs meeting. Yoon, the nominee, told reporters on his way home the previous day, "I believe Commissioner General Ryu bears responsibility not only for leading the meeting but also for judging and refusing a legitimate official order himself and failing to convey it to the majority of participants," and added, "It is difficult to revoke the standby order."

The police leadership also issued a written order the previous afternoon to all provincial police agencies, instructing obedience to superior officers' official orders and prohibiting collective actions. This was effectively a warning message aimed at the nationwide frontline team leaders' meeting. Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min also criticized the chiefs meeting, comparing it to the 'Hana Group 12·12 Coup.' Amid escalating conflicts between police leadership, frontline officers, and between the government and police, opposition from the frontline is growing uncontrollably, with the planned team leaders' meeting for inspectors and senior inspectors on the 30th being expanded to include all 140,000 police officers.

Meanwhile, at the State Council meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, the enforcement ordinance for the establishment of the Police Bureau was approved and promulgated. The revised organizational ordinance includes the establishment of the Police Bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, with an increase of 13 personnel, including 12 police officers and 1 civilian employee. The Police Bureau is tasked with duties such as ▲ recommending appointments for police officers at the rank of commissioner general and above ▲ submitting agenda items and requesting reconsideration to the National Police Commission ▲ supporting the operation of the autonomous police system. Frontline police officers have opposed the establishment of such a Police Bureau, arguing that it undermines the independence and neutrality of the police.

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