As rallies condemning a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections continue around the Jamsil area in Seoul, complaints have erupted within police riot squads deployed to the scene that "the police have been reduced to moving only with the protesters' permission." Some riot squad members claim they moved according to instructions from the protesters during deployment and shift changes at their posts, and a controversy over declining morale is now emerging within the police.
According to reporting compiled by Seoul Economic Daily on Tuesday, a post sharing experiences of guarding the Jamsil rally site was recently uploaded to an anonymous internal police community, drawing a strong reaction among rank-and-file officers. The post described police riot squads moving under the protesters' guidance during deployment and shift changes, with on-site operations effectively running according to methods set by the protesters.
One riot squad member deployed in Jamsil claimed, "Before entering the post, the protesters checked the number of police officers and even conducted attire inspections," adding, "Entry was restricted if anyone wore a mask, sunglasses, or carried a baton, and we were ordered to wear only our duty uniforms and fluorescent vests." The member also said, "The protesters demanded that shift changes be limited to 10 people at a time, so situations where dozens of police officers had to wait repeatedly occurred."
The controversy has grown in particular as claims have emerged within the police that the command of the jurisdictional Songpa Police Station instructed officers to follow procedures agreed upon with the protesters. Some officers claim that "a directive was conveyed to the effect that, during shift changes, officers should notify the protesters' guidance personnel of the shift change and then move according to their guidance."
The complaints of on-site officers have extended beyond mere emotional issues into a sense of concern about who holds the authority to exercise public power. The very situation in which rally participants manage police movement routes and check the number of deployed personnel could undermine the authority of public power.
One officer who formerly served in a riot squad said, "Some degree of cooperation is necessary at rally sites to prevent clashes, but a situation in which the police appear to be moving on the protesters' permission is clearly a problem," adding, "The officers on the ground are feeling considerable self-disgust."
Photos and videos from the scene reportedly captured officers passing through crowds of rally participants to move to their posts, or moving alongside protest leaders. Some posts also shared scenes of officers moving amid applause and jeers from rally participants.
As the controversy spread, the Korean National Police Agency also issued an official statement Tuesday and moved to respond. The agency explained that some participants had obstructed the passage of law-abiding citizens or searched others' belongings without legal authority. Accordingly, it said it had actively supported citizens' passage in cooperation with facility managers, deployed additional dialogue police, and arranged for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency command to be present on-site and direct operations.
The agency also stressed, "We plan to take strict action against clear illegal acts such as assault, defamation, and coercion targeting citizens, reporters, police, and firefighters," adding, "We will also devise systematic support and response measures at the agency level for on-site officers who have suffered harm from excessive spreading of false information."
Nevertheless, concerns have arisen on the front lines that the recent stance on handling rallies has become excessively passive. In particular, there are not a few voices saying that on-site response capabilities have weakened since rally-response manpower was reduced amid the recent cut in riot squad personnel. In fact, following President Lee Jae-myung's order to reduce manpower for managing assemblies and protests, the police cut riot squad personnel by about 1,000 and increased investigative police. Another police official lamented, "Riot squads exist originally to maintain public order and secure safety, but on the ground, it is rather the police who are being monitored and controlled," adding, "This is bound to affect declining morale within the police."
