Police assailants to face stronger punishment

SEOUL, July 5 (Yonhap) -- People who attack police officers on duty will face compensation claims in addition to criminal punishment, as police are stepping up crackdowns on violators of law enforcement authority, the nation's top police agency said Tuesday.
The National Police Agency (NPA) said it will encourage its rank-and-file officers to cope more strongly with violence committed against them by ordinary citizens. The police have so far stopped short of seeking civil action for those who obstruct their duties.
Last February, the police filed their first official claim against a civilian who destroyed property at a police station and attacked an officer while being held there for a taxi fare dispute.
Last month, the court ordered the citizen to pay 2 million won (US$1,877.9) in compensation aside from a fine of 1.5 million won.
The NPA said it sent a document to police stations nationwide earlier in the day to inform officers of how to claim damages when they get assaulted, contemned or libeled while on duty.
"We will actively employ civil means while pursuing stern criminal punishment against the obstruction of justice," an NPA official said. "The measure aims to secure legitimate authority and to boost our officers' morale."
graceoh@yna.co.kr