Verbal Abuse, Assault, Doxxing, and Accusations of Being "Chinese Police"... "Stop Human Rights Violations Against Police Officers at Protests"

Amid ongoing protests and rallies condemning the National Election Commission following the shortage of ballot papers during the 9th Nationwide Local Elections, police officers in the Gyeongnam region have spoken out, urging an end to the continued verbal abuse and assaults against police officers by some protest participants.

On June 17, former and current presidents of the Gyeongnam Police Officers' Association and the Gyeonguhoe held a press conference in front of the main gate of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, calling out, "Immediately stop the insults and human rights violations against front-line police officers."

They appealed that at protest sites—including recent rallies condemning the National Election Commission—police officers, who are performing official duties such as ensuring public safety and managing noise, are being subjected to the spread of false information, doxxing, and acts of violence.

Not only are some individuals refusing to comply with safety controls, but they are also mocking and criticizing police officers by calling them "Chinese police," and hurling insults and other offensive language.

Former and current heads of the Police Officers' Associations of Gyeongnam and the Gyeongwoohoe are holding a protest in front of the main gate of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, condemning the National Election Commission and urging an end to human rights violations against police officers at the rally.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

The presidents and the Gyeonguhoe stated, "Front-line police officers, as uniformed public servants who safeguard the fundamental rights of the people, have always been at the forefront of protecting rally participants at peaceful assemblies held within the bounds of the law, regardless of any objections to elections or political views."

However, they emphasized, "The freedom of assembly cannot be used as a shield to destroy the dignity of others or to justify violence."

They added, "Police officers, as uniformed public officials, have the legal right to perform their duties, and as human beings, they possess the inherent right to be protected from violence."

Previously, due to poor management by the National Election Commission on the day of the main local election vote, a shortage of ballot papers occurred at 91 polling stations across the country, including Songpa-gu in Seoul.

In Gyeongnam, it was reported that additional ballot papers were supplied to eight polling stations in the province, including two in Seongsan-gu, Changwon City.

Voters who were unable to exercise their right to vote protested against the National Election Commission, and even after the local elections ended, the blockade protest at the Jamsil polling station in Seoul has continued.

During these protests, some citizens have mocked police officers by asking, "Are you Chinese police?" and have committed acts of violence and verbal abuse. There have also been incidents where photos and videos revealing officers' faces and names have been uploaded and widely circulated on social networking services (SNS).

Former and current presidents of the Gyeongnam Police Officers' Association and the Gyeongwoohoe are submitting a petition urging the command to take strict action regarding the National Election Commission condemnation protest and human rights violations against police officers at the rally.
[Photo by Se Ryeong Lee]

The presidents and the Gyeonguhoe stated, "If behavior that undermines public authority—such as criticism, mockery, insults, and violence against police officers who are trying to ensure safety—continues, the ultimate victims will be the general public."

They also noted, "Front-line police officers are having a very difficult time due to the excessive actions of some protesters," and demanded, "The police leadership must thoroughly guarantee the right to legitimate assembly, but also take firm and strict legal action against those who violate human rights of front-line police officers. Protective measures for officers at the scene must be established immediately."

They further stated that if the leadership neglects legal action, the Police Officers' Association and the Gyeonguhoe will hold offenders legally accountable by filing civil and criminal lawsuits against those committing illegal acts. Immediately after the press conference, they submitted a petition containing these demands to the Civil Complaints Office of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.