Minister Sang-min Lee "Humbly Accepts Criticism That 'Coup' Remark Was Excessive"

"Never Criticized or Belittled Frontline Police Officers"
"Police Bureau, Auxiliary Body for Minister of Interior's Authority Exercise"

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is attending the government-wide questioning session on education, society, and culture held at the National Assembly on the 27th, responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min stated on the 27th that he "humbly accepts the criticism that his description of the police chiefs' meeting opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau as a 'coup d'?tat' was excessive."

During a government questioning session on education, society, and culture held at the National Assembly that day, in response to a question from Lee Man-hee, a member of the People Power Party, who pointed out that "there are concerns that the morale of police officers has declined due to somewhat excessive remarks about the chiefs' meeting," Minister Lee said, "Although discussions about the Police Bureau have been ongoing, I have never once criticized or belittled the frontline police officers who are quietly doing their work."

He added, "While it concerns only a very small portion, I pointed out the risks of reckless collective actions by some chiefs or senior superintendents, not the majority of police officers who are diligently performing their duties. I hope this misunderstanding can be cleared up."

Minister Lee continued, "The President also highly appreciates the dedication and efforts of those in uniform," and emphasized, "He has always stressed that there should be rewards commensurate with such dedication. Even recently, despite economic difficulties, he has promised to keep the pledges made to these individuals."

Regarding the Police Bureau, he defined it as "not a general command and control organization, but an auxiliary body to exercise the authority of the Minister of the Interior and Safety as individually stipulated in the Police Officers Act." This was a direct rebuttal to criticisms that the establishment of the Police Bureau is an attempt to seize control of the police. In response to a question from Rep. Lee asking, "Was the independence and neutrality of the police well maintained during the Moon Jae-in administration?" he answered, "I do not think so at all."

Addressing concerns about the Minister of the Interior and Safety's interference in investigations through the Police Bureau, he said, "Precisely because of that, we are trying to staff more than 80% of this organization with active police officers," adding, "Since 80% of the active police officers fully understand every detail of the work carried out in the Police Bureau and handle it themselves, if I exceed the authority I promised, it will immediately become an issue," dismissing the controversy.

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