'King of Geoje' Faces Formal Investigation; Two Close Associates Placed on Leave

<앵커>

It has been confirmed that police plan to launch a formal investigation soon into allegations of sexual misconduct and other wrongdoings by a police superintendent in his 50s who has worked near Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, for over 30 years. Two close police associates, who were allegedly implicated in the sexual harassment of junior female officers, have also been placed on leave.

Morning Zoom-in, reporter Bae Seong-jae.

<기자>

According to SBS coverage, the National Police Agency's inspection team has established an internal plan to request a formal investigation into allegations that Superintendent A, dubbed the "King of Geoje," sexually harassed junior female officers.

The decision was made because internal inspections alone were deemed insufficient to uncover the truth, necessitating a coercive investigation.

A police official explained that authorities also took into account the reluctance of victims to give testimonies due to Superintendent A's local influence.

It is reported that authorities are reviewing a plan to initiate the investigation as early as this week through a provincial police agency outside the Geoje area, such as South Gyeongsang or Busan.

The inspection team, which began on-site investigations earlier this month, has identified around 10 victimized female officers and believes that Superintendent A's sexual misconduct was carried out habitually over the past several years.

[Local Police Official : He was someone who would casually touch female officers, hug them, or try to forcefully kiss them.]

Following the inspection results, police recently placed two close police associates of Superintendent A on leave after confirming circumstances indicating their involvement in the sexual misconduct.

They hold the ranks of superintendent and senior inspector who worked at the Geoje Police Station, and they are reportedly found to have summoned junior female officers to drinking gatherings where they engaged in sexual harassment alongside Superintendent A.

Superintendent A, who is currently on sick leave, submitted a resignation letter through his wife last weekend, but the National Police Agency reaffirmed its stance not to accept the resignation until the fact-finding process is concluded.

As various allegations of misconduct by Superintendent A have reportedly already been confirmed through high-intensity inspections, the upcoming police investigation based on these findings is expected to have a significant ripple effect.

(Photo courtesy of: Park Hyun-철, Video Editing: Ahn Yeo-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.