Posted August. 28, 2007 03:14,
It was reported that the National Police Agency tried to fire Hwang Un-ha, police superintendent (44, head of the department of general affairs at the Police Comprehensive Academy) who insisted on the retirement of Lee Taek-sun, the head of the National Police Agency, regarding the cover-up of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-yeons retaliation attack. However, his level of punishment will be lowered in the face of opposition from the police agencys Civil Audit Committee.
Buddhist priest Myeong Jin, the head priest of the Jogye Order Bongeunsa and a member of the Civil Audit Committee, said on August 27, Father Hahm Se-ung said, The police agency auditor who participated in the committee meeting on August 17 initially requested the firing of police superintendent Hwang. But the committee members lowered the level of punishment.
Priest Myeong Jin said, After I was aware of the punishment considered for police superintendent Hwang through newspaper articles on August 15, I asked Father Hahm for details.
According to the Buddhist priest, earlier in the end of May, Hwang asked the National Police Agency to convene its Civic Audit Committee to reconsider the punishment of Lee Taek-sun regarding Hanwha Group chairmans case. After the request was denied, the police superintendent submitted a letter of resignation, but it wasnt accepted.
Regarding the reason for the request, Hwang explained, Just after the Hanwha Group chairmans case was revealed, Lee denied playing golf and had a phone conversation with Yoo Si-wang, counsel of the Hanwha Group, even though he had done so. It is like a thief being caught in a house, saying, I entered the house but I didnt steal.
The Civic Audit Committee was established in June 2005 to enhance the transparency of police work. At that time, the Police Agency emphasized, The head of the police agency will fully respect and reflect recommendations of the committee when it comes to any wrongdoings or suspicions of the police.
Meanwhile, in the run-up to a disciplinary committees meeting where the punishment on Hwang will be decided, there is increasingly fierce opposition within the police, including from alumni of Korea National Police University.
In a press conference in front of the National Police Agency building, the Mugunghwa Club of the Republic of Korea, a gathering of former and present junior police officials, called for the withdrawal of the punishment, arguing, Retaliatory punishment against a police official who pointed out wrongdoings of the former and present chief executives of police means gagging lower-ranking officials.
Han Gyeong-hui (aged 52), a former executive of the police, filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea, claming, Unfair disciplinary measures against Hwang are a violation of the human rights of lower-ranking officials.
Writings to criticize Lee were continuously posted on electronic bulletin boards inside the police agency.
One police officer posted a note, reading, Hwang said what we wanted to say, on behalf of us. Others pointed out the unjustness of the punishment, saying, (Regarding the Hanwha case) the head of the National Police Agency should look back on himself.
One of the police officials said, Executives in higher positions than the police superintendent are also criticizing the punishment against Hwang. Harsh criticisms are selectively deleted, but since there are so many people posting writings, it is impossible to remove all such comments.
The alumni association of Korea National Police University is going to discuss the matter of Hwang on August 29 after the disciplinary committees meeting at the National Police Agency. Hwang is the first graduate of the university.
One of the alumni association members said, Our aim is not to protect Hwang but the future of the police, which is symbolized by him.
Members of Pol Netian, a website of junior police officials, designated August 29 as Hwang Un-ha Day and will meet around the police agencys building in the evening of August 29 to announce a statement regarding the matter.