Exclusive: Senior Police Officer Placed on Administrative Leave Over Alleged Hospitality From Accused

A mid-level police officer at a frontline police station in Seoul in charge of investigating a complaint has been placed on administrative leave over allegations that he received entertainment and hospitality from a party involved in the case, SBS has learned.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency recently placed Superintendent A of the Bangbae Police Station on administrative leave and launched an internal investigation.

Superintendent A is suspected of separately meeting with a person who had been filed as a defendant while a complaint received by the division where he serves as a mid-level officer was ongoing, and receiving entertainment at a bar where female employees work.

Having received a related petition, the police placed Superintendent A on administrative leave last week and have initiated an investigation and internal audit.

Superintendent A was previously removed from his post while under internal investigation over allegations that he repeatedly abused his power against subordinates while serving as the commander of the Gimpo Airport Police Unit last year.

In a phone call with SBS, Superintendent A stated, "It was a gathering to meet senior and junior acquaintances from my hometown," adding, "It is true that the person present was going through a lawsuit, but the claim that I received hospitality from a party involved in the case is groundless."

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