[2023 National Audit] Heated Debate Over the Amendment to the House Gathering Act... "Unconstitutional" VS "Protection of Basic Rights"

On the 12th, during the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency, a heated debate unfolded over the "Improvement Plan for Assembly and Demonstration Culture," which includes provisions such as a complete ban on assemblies and demonstrations during late-night hours.

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, responded to a question from Park Seong-min of the People Power Party regarding measures against illegal assemblies by stating, "The right to assemble and demonstrate is certainly important, but the basic rights of ordinary citizens are also important," adding, "The 'Improvement Plan for Assembly and Demonstration Culture' emphasizes two points: protecting basic rights and securing public order."

When Park asked, "There should be a definite and extraordinary measure from the Police Commissioner regarding the suppression of demonstrations. Have you recently issued such instructions?" Commissioner Yoon replied, "I have recently made public addresses to the nation and have given such instructions internally several times."

Song Jae-ho, a member of the Democratic Party, criticized, "The police's improvement plan for assemblies and demonstrations involves prohibiting them if there is a possibility of illegality upon prior notification, banning them during morning and evening rush hours, and using drones for evidence collection. This is an act of erasing the constitution with an eraser. It is not a matter of improving culture but a philosophical issue that determines the dignity of the nation." In response, Commissioner Yoon clarified, "This does not mean operating assemblies and demonstrations under a permit system or that the police will arbitrarily prohibit or restrict them."

On the other hand, the ruling party supported the police's tough stance on assemblies and demonstrations. Park Seong-min of the People Power Party said, "Assemblies and demonstrations have turned into a lawless state, and from the public's perspective, the police appear to be just watching and helplessly stamping their feet without taking forced dispersal measures," demanding, "Please enforce the law strictly."

Meanwhile, regarding the case of the late Baek Nam-gi, who died due to police water cannon suppression during a demonstration, and the former Seoul Police Commissioner Koo Eun-soo, who was indicted and ultimately found guilty by the Supreme Court, Commissioner Yoon stated, "While I fundamentally respect the judiciary's decision, I believe that police officers who lawfully enforce the law should also be protected." In response, Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party questioned, "Are you saying that the police lawfully enforced the law in the Baek Nam-gi farmer case as well?" and Lee Hyung-seok of the Democratic Party pointed out, "That case was caused by excessive police suppression."

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