National Police Agency Pays Tribute to Fallen Officers of May 18... "Considering Revoking Honors for Suppression Recipients"

Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jae-sung Visits Seoul National Cemetery

To mark the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, the leadership of the National Police Agency visited the gravesites of late police officers, including the late Senior Superintendent General Ahn Byung-ha, who died in the line of duty.

On the morning of May 18, the National Police Agency announced that Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jae-sung and other senior officials paid respects at the gravesites of six fallen police officers at the Seoul National Cemetery. This visit was intended to honor the legacy of senior police officers who defended citizens' lives and human rights against unjust power, and to carry on their spirit.

Seodaemun-gu Police Agency, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

The late Senior Superintendent General Ahn Byung-ha was serving as the Chief of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. He is remembered for refusing the new military regime’s order to open fire and for instructing riot police to refrain from using weapons and to avoid excessive force. As a result of his defiance, he was taken to the Defense Security Command, suffered severe hardship, and was dismissed from his post. After struggling with the aftereffects, he passed away in 1988 while still on duty. He was recognized as a national merit recipient in 2006 and was selected as a “Police Hero” by the National Police Agency in 2017.

The late Commissioner Lee Jun-gyu, who was the chief of Mokpo Police Station in Jeonnam at the time, is also credited for seeking to minimize civilian casualties by prohibiting live ammunition and dispersing weapons. He later died in 1985 due to the aftereffects of torture and illness. He was recognized as a national merit recipient in 2021. At the Seoul National Cemetery, other police officers who died in the line of duty during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement are also buried: Senior Officer Jeong Chung-gil, Sergeant Kang Jeong-ung, Sergeant Lee Se-hong, and Sergeant Park Ki-ung, all of whom were affiliated with Hampyeong Police Station in Jeonnam.

The National Police Agency also announced that a memorial service would be held on the same day at the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency, inviting bereaved families and members of the Ahn Byung-ha Memorial Foundation.

Additionally, the National Police Agency stated that it plans to actively pursue the revocation of government honors, following investigations of those who were awarded for their actions during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement involving illegal use of public authority.

Acting Commissioner General Yoo stated, "We will honor and carry forward the noble spirit of sacrifice of our senior officers who stood up against injustice. We are committed to correcting the wrongs of the past, reaffirming the values of police work based on the Constitution and human rights, and faithfully fulfilling our mission to protect the lives and safety of the people."

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