Police Officers Shave Heads in Protest Against Rotation Policy: "Why Are Only Police Treated as Potential Criminals?"

Police officers opposed to the plan to expand the mandatory rotation system have launched a head-shaving protest.

The Joint Struggle Committee for Improving Police Working Environments—operating under the National Police Workplace Council, a police union-alternative organization—held a launching ceremony in front of the main gate of the Korean National Police Agency this afternoon (August 3) and staged a head-shaving protest against the rotation system.

With wreaths denouncing the mandatory rotation system lined up, about 100 people attended the rally.

Fourteen individuals, including Co-Chair Min Kwan-ki, participated in the head-shaving.

They demanded the abolition of the mandatory rotation policy and the withdrawal of the plan to expand the internal audit department.

Holding placards that read "Resolutely Oppose Deceptive Audit Expansion and Mandatory Rotation," they chanted slogans such as "Immediately abolish the nationwide rotation system without measures" and "Police officers are also precious citizens. Respect police officers."

Participants who shaved their heads raised their voices, saying, "We are not potential criminals," "Why must we shave our heads on the street like this?", and "Frontline police officers are crying out like this, so what is the Acting Commissioner General of the National Police Agency doing?"

Co-Chair Min Kwan-ki claimed, "If the National Police Agency does not come up with a solution by this week, we will oppose the autonomous police system," adding, "According to the National Police Agency's logic, wouldn't the autonomous police become a hotbed of corruption and localize into vested interests?"

He went on to emphasize, "Mayors and members of the National Assembly can serve consecutive terms, so why should only police officers be treated as potential criminals?" and "As long as the National Police Agency does not back down from its policies, we will not back down either."

The struggle committee also delivered a letter of protest to Acting Police Commissioner General Ryu Jae-sung today and requested an official meeting.

The letter of protest condemned the mandatory rotation policy and the plan to expand the audit department, while demanding an official apology from Acting Commissioner General Ryu.

Immediately after reading the letter of protest, attendees held up the commendations they had received over the years and raised their voices, saying, "We are not the regional spies the leadership calls us, but the pride of an organization that has received numerous commendations."

The struggle committee also conveyed its opinion to the Police Investigation Reform Committee that police reform should be carried out in a direction that strengthens frontline expertise and accountability while enhancing trust in the criminal justice system.

Previously, the struggle committee held a meeting at the police council office on July 30 and forewarned the head-shaving protest.

The committee stated that if dialogue for policy reconsideration does not take place, it will hold rallies in front of the National Police Agency every week and continue relay head-shaving protests with 15 to 20 people at a time.

In particular, they warned that on the fourth Monday of this month, they would hold a national police officer rally and make their stance clear on returning letters of appointment and investigative authority, as well as opposing the autonomous police.

The police plan to introduce the rotation system in the first half of next year, expanding it in the wake of poor investigation and collusion controversies surrounding the "Yoon Jang-ki case."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.