It has been confirmed that 271 police officers were disciplined in the first half of this year for various forms of misconduct. The number of disciplinary cases has been increasing every year, raising concerns about a serious decline in discipline within the police organization.

Yoon Geonyoung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is asking a question. Photo by Yonhap News

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According to data submitted by Yoon Geonyoung, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, from the National Police Agency on July 23, 271 police officers were disciplined from January to June of this year. By reason, there were 92 cases of disciplinary violations, 70 cases of conduct unbecoming, 31 cases of neglect of duty, 28 cases of sexual misconduct, 38 cases of drunk driving, and 12 cases of bribery. By year, the numbers were 426 in 2020, 493 in 2021, 471 in 2022, 486 in 2023, and 536 last year.

By disciplinary level, there were 15 dismissals, 34 removals, 23 demotions, 44 suspensions, 62 pay reductions, and 93 reprimands. Disciplinary actions against police officers are classified as severe from suspension or higher.

In the case of dismissal, the individual cannot be appointed as a public official for five years, and retirement benefits are reduced by up to 50%. For removal, reappointment as a public official is possible after three years, and retirement benefits are reduced by up to 25%.

By rank, there were 5 senior superintendents or above, 23 superintendents, 90 inspectors, 75 senior inspectors, 29 sergeants, 24 corporals, and 25 constables. With the exception of senior inspectors and corporals, the number of disciplined officers in every rank increased compared to the first half of last year, indicating that misconduct has become more severe regardless of position.

By regional police agency, the numbers were as follows: 56 in Seoul, 30 in Gyeonggi Nambu, 22 in North Gyeongsang, 21 in Busan, 18 in Incheon, 17 in South Jeolla, 10 each in North Gyeonggi and Ulsan, 15 each in Daegu, Gangwon, and South Gyeongsang, 11 in North Jeolla, 9 in North Chungcheong, 8 each in South Chungcheong and Jeju, 3 in Gwangju, and 2 in Daejeon.

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Yoo Jaeseong, acting commissioner of the National Police Agency, recently visited frontline sites such as the Traffic Information Center at Yeongdeungpo Police Station and the Yeoksam Police Box at Gangnam Police Station in Seoul, emphasizing, "Basic order is a fundamental promise that must be kept in society, but it is true that even minor acts of deviation have caused inconvenience and dissatisfaction among the public." He stressed the importance of establishing basic order in areas such as traffic and daily life through police guidance and enforcement.

However, misconduct by police officers continues to occur. A corporal in his 20s from the South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency, who was under investigation for extorting money from a fraud victim, was booked on July 10 for stealing cash from a store. On July 16, at around 1 a.m., a sergeant in his 30s from the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul was caught by a citizen's report after falling asleep at the wheel on the road, having driven his car after drinking at a department dinner.

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Oh Yoonseong, a professor of police administration at Soonchunhyang University, said, "The only way is to conduct preventive education at both the National Police Agency and the provincial and regional police agency levels, and to strengthen penalties," adding, "Police officers are responsible for dealing with and resolving crime, so it is only natural that they should not engage in misconduct."