Police Chief: “Do Not Make Any Personal Contacts with Reporters”

The head of the National Police Agency Lee Taek-soon told police officers to avoid personal contact with reporters yesterday.

During a staff meeting held at police headquarters at Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Lee said, “Do not meet reporters in your offices or in person. If you need to, get permission from the press management office and meet in the audience hall.

Meanwhile, he asked a disciplinary committee to be held to try police superintendent Hwang Oon-ha (44), who asked him to resign on a police electronic bulletin board while the investigation regarding the CEO of Hanhwa Group Kim Seung-yeon was taking place.

An official at the agency said, “It is my belief that Lee asked Hwang to be dismissed, removed or suspended from his post.” There are many graduates of the police academy who are critical of the police chief.

surono@donga.com