Police protection for actor Yoo Hai-jin, who had been receiving security measures amid controversies surrounding the film "The Assassin(s)," has been lifted at the request of Yoo's side.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Chief Ko Bum-suk stated during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency today (October 15) in response to an inquiry from People Power Party lawmaker Kang Myung-gu regarding Yoo's protection status, "They requested the cancellation over the past couple of days, so we lifted (the measures)."

On October 6, the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station accepted a request from Yoo's agency and implemented safety measures, including providing a smart watch, registering him in the 112 emergency system, and stepping up patrols around his residence.

This came as concerns over threats to his safety grew, following a conservative group holding a protest rally in front of Yoo's home and threatening remarks being posted online.

Lawmaker Kang compared the protective measures provided to Yoo with the police responses to the 2023 retaliatory murder case in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, and the recent murder of a mother-in-law and kidnapping of a wife in Songpa-gu, pointing out whether there was a difference compared to ordinary citizens.

Chief Ko explained, "It was not special treatment just because he is an actor," adding, "We implemented the protective measures after a review following the agency's request for safety measures."

Regarding the Songpa-gu case, Chief Ko explained that temporary measures were taken on the very day the victim gave a statement at the Yongsan Police Station on August 22, and that the police also recommended providing a smart watch, but the victim declined at the time.

He added, "We will pay closer attention so that ordinary citizens can live safely."