Police apologize for kicking woman

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency offered a public apology yesterday for an incident in which a police officer escorting serial killing suspect Yoo Yeong-cheol kicked a victim’s mother, who was darting at Mr. Yoo.
“Due to our mistake in not recognizing the victim’s mother, we again hurt the despairing, bereaved family,” said Huh Joon-young, the agency’s chief officer. “We will prepare measures to protect the victims and their families.”
The agency also said that the police officer who kicked the woman would face disciplinary measures.
On Monday, police officers were accompanying Mr. Yoo, the suspect in more than 20 murders, to offices of the prosecutors. As the group was about to enter the building, a woman identified only as Ms. Jeong, 51, attempted to attack Mr. Yoo with an umbrella. One of the escorting officers reacted, kicking her down a flight of steps. The incident prompted public criticism.
The officers escorting Mr. Yoo claimed yesterday that the whole incident was a “set-up” by a broadcaster. They said the crew of Japan’s Fuji TV, which was covering the story, asked Ms. Jeong to go at Mr. Yoo and pull his hood off so that they could get a picture.
Ha Sang-guk, a Korean staffer with Fuji TV, repudiated the police officers’ claims yesterday.

by Im Jang-hyuk