Seoul police have disciplined 346 officers since 2024, the most in the country

Seoul police have disciplined 346 of their own officers since 2024 for misconduct ranging from embezzlement and extortion to sex crimes, the most of any regional police agency in the country.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency disciplined 150 officers in 2024, 107 last year and 89 through August this year, according to National Police Agency data released Thursday by Rep. Jin Jong-oh of the main opposition People Power Party.

Seoul accounted for 23.9 percent of the 1,445 police officers disciplined nationwide over the same period.

Nearly half of the 346, or 171 officers, received severe disciplinary action. Fourteen were removed from service, the harshest penalty, and 47 were dismissed. Another 35 were demoted and 75 were suspended.

One inspector was removed from service last year over accusations of embezzlement. The officer allegedly withdrew money deposited in the department’s name without authorization and spent it between 2021 and 2024.

A senior inspector was dismissed for teaming up with an acquaintance to try to extort money from foreigners staying in the country illegally. Another inspector was dismissed for giving outside lectures without permission to hold a second job and without reporting the fees.

This year, an assistant inspector was dismissed over allegations of offering to pay a minor for sex and of indecent assault. An inspector was also dismissed this year over an indecent assault allegation.

“Police officers, who are meant to protect the lives and property of the public, have themselves committed serious misconduct such as embezzlement, extortion and sex crimes,” said Jin, who sits on the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee. “That fundamentally shakes public trust in the police. The entire system of management and oversight needs to be reviewed.”

BY JEONG HYE-JEONG [[email protected]]