hankyoreh

which took place on Jan. 20

National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) submitted its opinion concerning the Yongsan Tragedy to the court, and stated in the report that the behavior of police during crackdown reached a stage of illegality on Tuesday. The NHRCK’s opinion is expected to have a huge impact on the Yongsan Tragedy issue because it also states that there is a need to indict members of the police leadership, including Kim Seok-ki, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA).

The NHRCK stated in their opinion, “We believe that the police behavior at that time was illegal because police officers were in violation of a number of regulations stipulated in laws and ordinances.” The NHRCK cited specific examples as proof, such as the fact that the leader during the crackdown did not educate and inform the officers of the possible threat of a fire, and carried out the second crackdown without changing operational tactics even though the first attempted crackdown exhibited signs of a high possibility of a fire.

Additionally, the NHRCK emphasized, “If the government does not punish the illegal actions committed by public entities, it will do a great deal of damage to our Constitution.” The NHRCK added, “The trial to determine whether the police engaged in illegal behavior will set an important precedent.”

Prior to the NHRCK’s report, the individuals who were indicted by prosecutors in connection to the Yongsan Tragedy included Lee Chung-yeon, the head of a group of Yongsan residents refusing eviction. The group of indicted individuals accused 14 members of the police leadership, including Kim Seok-ki, of accidental homicide, however, prosecutors rejected their accusations. In South Korea, if prosecutors refuse to indict certain individuals while controversies remain surrounding a case, citizens may petition the court directly for an indictment.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]