Hyangchal Controversy on the Table: How Was Such a Thing Possible?

[Anchor]
We will discuss this further with reporter Son Gijun, who covered the story.

Q. How was such a thing possible?

[Reporter Son Gijun : During the reporting process, I was told by a police official regarding the police station where Senior Superintendent A belongs that "the division head moves the chief's office." It meant that Senior Superintendent A, who has worked as an intelligence police officer in the region for a long time, wields influence even over the police chiefs who change periodically. It is clear how formidable that influence was, given that he even went so far as to visit the head of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency to express his dissatisfaction with his own personnel assignment, and even used abusive language while doing so. As a result, some senior officers who follow Senior Superintendent A gathered junior female police officers at drinking parties and effectively helped enable sexual misconduct. It is reported that most of the junior female police officers who suffered sexual harassment and the staff who suffered workplace bullying were unable to easily speak out. A local police official told SBS reporting staff, "I felt like a fool for staying silent and not saying anything," and expressed welcome toward the high-intensity inspection by the National Police Agency.]

Q. 'Hyangchal Controversy' on the Table: Status of the Inspection

[Reporter Son Gijun : It has been confirmed that Senior Superintendent A applied for extended sick leave following his placement on standby. In a phone call with reporting staff, Senior Superintendent A flatly stated, "I do not even know the exact reason why the National Police Agency is conducting an inspection, and as for the suspicions of sexual harassment or workplace bullying, there is no such truth." Currently, investigations into the victims are being conducted prior to questioning the subject himself. The National Police Agency plans to initiate a formal investigation if the suspicions of misconduct are confirmed to be true through the inspection.]
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.