Acting Police Chief Vows to Strengthen Discipline Amid Surge in Bribery Fines for Officers

On Concealing the "Lee Junseok Non-Prosecution" Decision:
"I Have Not Thought Deeply About It"

Yu Jaesung, Acting Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated on December 8 that the disciplinary surcharges imposed on police officers caught accepting bribes this year have approached 800 million won. He said, "We will take strict action against bribery violations and thoroughly manage the establishment of public office discipline through continuous inspections and education."

Yu Jaesung, Acting Commissioner of the National Police Agency. Photo by Yonhap News

At a regular press briefing that day, Acting Commissioner Yu said, "I am very disappointed that bribery among police officers has not been eradicated."

According to data submitted to the National Police Agency by the office of Assemblyman Yoon Kunyoung of the Democratic Party of Korea, disciplinary surcharges from January to October this year totaled 790.29 million won, which is 176 times higher than five years ago (4.47 million won in 2020). Disciplinary surcharges are punitive fines imposed on public officials who commit financial misconduct, such as accepting bribes or embezzling public funds, requiring them to pay up to five times the amount involved in the misconduct.

Yu Jaesung, Acting Commissioner, also commented on the fact that Park Sungjoo, Commissioner of the National Investigation Headquarters, concealed the non-indictment decision in the case involving Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform Party, during a regular press briefing on November 24. He said, "I have not given that matter much thought."

Previously, Commissioner Park had said, "The investigation is ongoing according to procedure. We will reach a conclusion quickly," while concealing the non-indictment decision, which was only revealed later.

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