All Members of the National Police Agency Human Rights Committee Resign... Feeling Limits in Role and Status

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Police Agency building. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Police Agency Human Rights Committee is reported to have declared the resignation of all its members and the termination of its activities three months before the expiration of their terms.

According to the Police Agency on the 11th, the Human Rights Committee held its 138th meeting on the 16th of last month and decided to end the activities of all members of the 8th committee. The 8th Police Agency Human Rights Committee, launched at the end of 2020, had a term until December for 12 civilian members excluding one ex officio member (Police Agency Auditor). This is the second time that the two-year term Police Agency Human Rights Committee members have resigned early, following the first resignation during the Lee Myung-bak administration in 2008, when they expressed regret over the police's harsh crackdown on candlelight protests.

The police human rights committee members reportedly decided to end their activities due to perceived limitations in the committee's role and status. The committee had recommended to the Police Commissioner in June to strengthen the committee's role and status by granting it deliberation and resolution rights, but this was not accepted. They also expressed opposition to the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, but this was also not accepted. The Police Agency is reportedly in the process of forming the next human rights committee.

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