22 Police Officers Disciplined for Involvement in Dec. 3 Martial Law; No. 2 Official Demoted

Twenty-two police officers have been disciplined, including dismissals and demotions, for their involvement in illegal activities during the December 3 emergency martial law declaration.

The National Police Agency announced today through a press release that "the Prime Minister's Office's Central Disciplinary Committee has decided on disciplinary actions for police officers, including two dismissals, four demotions, 10 suspensions, and six pay cuts."

This result comes four months after the police's own "Constitution Respect Task Force (TF)," formed in February, requested disciplinary action against a total of 22 officers, including 16 for serious disciplinary measures and six for minor ones.

Oh Bu-myeong, former head of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, and Im Jeong-ju, former head of the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency—both holding the rank of superintendent general, the third-highest rank in the police—were dismissed.

At the time of the emergency martial law, Oh was the public safety deputy chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and Im was the director of the security bureau at the National Police Agency. Both were key members of the leadership accused of being involved in controlling access to the National Assembly.

Kim Jun-young, former head of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, who holds the rank of senior superintendent general—the second-highest rank in the organization, directly below the Commissioner General—was demoted from senior superintendent general to superintendent general.

Such a demotion is an unprecedented case within the police organization.

Kim is accused of participating in the martial law by ordering the deployment of police forces to the National Election Commission building in Gwacheon and the Election Training Institute in Suwon immediately after the declaration of emergency martial law.

In addition, Ju Jin-woo, former security chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (superintendent), was demoted to senior superintendent, while Kang Sang-moon, former head of the Yeongdeungpo Police Station (senior superintendent), and Jeon Chang-hoon, former investigation planning officer at the National Police Agency (senior superintendent), were demoted to superintendent.

The National Police Agency's "Special Investigation Headquarters for Cases Transferred to the Three Special Prosecutors" referred Kim to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without detention last April on charges of engaging in important duties of insurrection.

It is reported that the commanders of the riot police units who were deployed to the National Assembly during the martial law, as well as Kim Moon-young, former public safety deputy chief of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, received suspensions.

Former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Kim Bong-sik and others, who have already been indicted on charges including engaging in important duties of insurrection and were relieved of their positions, were not included in this disciplinary list.

Those subject to disciplinary action may appeal the decision by requesting a review, or if that is rejected, they may file an administrative lawsuit.

The task force was launched with the goal of uncovering acts of plotting, executing, justifying, or covering up the emergency martial law within the organization by utilizing both internal audit personnel and external experts.

This was part of the "Constitution Respect Government Innovation TF" promoted by the government for all 49 central administrative agencies, with the police designated as a "focus inspection target."

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