Floor Leader Chung Jin-sik criticized on social media, stating, "During our party's lawmakers' protest visit to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the head of the SMPA's security division committed acts of violence, twisting the wrists and grabbing the neck of our party's aides." [SNS Video Capture]

The head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's security division, embroiled in controversy for using physical force against aides of lawmakers who visited the police to protest, has been reported to the prosecution by a civic group.

The civic group, the Committee for the Countermeasures of Common People's Livelihoods (CCPL), announced on the 17th that it had filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jeong-bo and Security Division Chief Lee Gwan-hyung, accusing them of illegal assault, abuse of power, obstruction of business, and intimidation.

The complaint also included the charge of "obstruction of justice," alleging that they attempted to destroy or conceal evidence by preventing filming of the scene.

In its complaint, the CCPL stated, "They subjected Assistant Secretary A, who was fulfilling his duty to inform the public about the opposition party lawmakers' protest visit to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, to assault, including taking away his phone and choking him, under the guise of illegal evidence collection," and argued, "Commissioner Park Jeong-bo, who stood by as the incident unfolded in front of his office, is an accomplice."

On the previous day, the 16th, Representative Jang Dong-hyuk inspected the site in Jamsil along with Park Jun-tae, Chief of Staff to the Party Leader, and Supreme Council Member Kim Min-soo. Subsequently, key party lawmakers including Park Dae-chul, Kim Mi-ae, Choi Soo-jin, Kim Tae-gyu, Kim Min-jeon, Seo Myung-ok, Park Chung-kwon, and Kim Jang-gyeom joined them.

At the site, Representative Jang stated, "While the President was on an overseas trip, he ordered a forceful dispersal, and yesterday, the Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency threatened citizens and young people by mentioning ruin and disgrace." He added, "The People Power Party will protect this place with the citizens. We will fight to the end with the citizens to block any unwarranted attempts at forced entry."

Meanwhile, nine senior lawmakers, including Representative Na Kyung-won and Representative Cho Bae-sook, visited the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to protest. They were protesting against Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jeong-bo's warning at a briefing the previous day, where he stated to protestors, "If you are complicit in illegal acts without thinking and are subsequently applied as an accomplice, you could face ruin and disgrace."

They added, "If the President and the Democratic Party do not provide any response to this and attempt a forceful dispersal, they will ultimately face a backlash from public sentiment."

The controversy surrounding the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's security division chief using physical force against the aides of People Power Party lawmakers arose when the lawmakers visited the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to protest on this day.

Floor Leader Chung Jin-sik criticized on social media, stating, "During our party's lawmakers' protest visit to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the head of the SMPA's security division committed acts of violence, twisting the wrists and grabbing the neck of our party's aides." He declared, "We strongly condemn these acts of violence, which cannot be tolerated, and we will hold them legally accountable at the party level."

Floor Leader Chung demanded, "We urge President Lee Jae-myung to take strong disciplinary action against the security division chief and Commissioner Park. Acting Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong should issue a formal apology on behalf of the police to the victims and the People Power Party." Additionally, Secretary-General Jung Hee-yong and the People Power Party Aides Association issued statements demanding the immediate suspension of duties and severe disciplinary action.

CCPL Donation Account: Korea Post 010108-01-014472

Account Holder: Committee for the Countermeasures of Common People's Livelihoods

Reporter Lim Yo-hee