Police Refine Disciplinary Standards for Sexual Misconduct... Sexual Violence Crimes Mandate Severe Punishment

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] It has been revealed belatedly that the National Police Agency has subdivided the disciplinary standards for police officers' sexual misconduct by type.

On the 24th, the National Police Agency announced that it had revised the "Detailed Enforcement Rules of the Police Officer Disciplinary Regulations" in September last year. The revised rules are characterized by subdividing the uniform disciplinary standards for sexual violence crimes into six types. Specifically, these are ▲ sexual violence crimes against minors or persons with disabilities ▲ sexual violence crimes using power or authority in the course of duty ▲ public indecency ▲ obscene acts using communication media ▲ acts such as filming using cameras, etc. ▲ other sexual violence crimes.

The revised rules stipulate that for serious types such as sexual violence crimes against minors or persons with disabilities or sexual violence crimes involving power or authority in the course of duty, the minimum disciplinary action is "dismissal." For public indecency and obscene acts using communication media, the minimum is "suspension," but if the misconduct is severe and intentional, the maximum penalty of "dismissal with disgrace" is possible.

According to the Police Officer Disciplinary Regulations, there are six types of disciplinary actions: dismissal with disgrace, dismissal, demotion, suspension, pay reduction, and reprimand. Among these, dismissal with disgrace, dismissal, demotion, and suspension are considered severe disciplinary actions. Police officers who commit sexual violence crimes are, regardless of the degree or type of misconduct, effectively subject to severe disciplinary action. A National Police Agency official explained, "We have reasonably subdivided the disciplinary standards for sexual misconduct in accordance with the enforcement rules of the disciplinary regulations for public officials of the Ministry of Personnel Management."

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