ID :
203679
Fri, 08/26/2011 - 13:03
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/203679
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Police officers punished for failing to protect U.S. envoy
SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- Two mid-ranking police officers have been disciplined for failing to protect the U.S. ambassador to Seoul from demonstrators during a public event held in Seoul earlier this week, police said Friday.
The disciplined officers, whose identities were withheld, are accused of failing to stop a group of anti-American protesters from throwing plastic bottles at the car carrying U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kathleen Stephens. The incident happened as Stephens was leaving a ceremony to celebrate the unveiling of a statue of former South Korean president Syngman Rhee in central Seoul on Thursday, police said.
Stephens was not injured in the incident.
Rhee's statue, made by one of the country's conservative groups, was erected at the foot of Mount Namsan in Seoul after being removed during a pro-democracy uprising in April 1960 that led to the resignation of Rhee, the nation's first president. The recent move sparked controversy, with some arguing that "setting up the dictator's statue was an insult to the revolution."
The two officers in charge of public security and intelligence in Seoul's Jungbu Police Station were relegated to less important posts at the station, while their station's chief was given a warning, according to officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA).
"The officers dispatched to the scene were supposed to expect that any accidents could take place, as several civic group members against the project were holding a rally," an SMPA official said, explaining the reason behind the disciplinary measures.
The disciplined officers, whose identities were withheld, are accused of failing to stop a group of anti-American protesters from throwing plastic bottles at the car carrying U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kathleen Stephens. The incident happened as Stephens was leaving a ceremony to celebrate the unveiling of a statue of former South Korean president Syngman Rhee in central Seoul on Thursday, police said.
Stephens was not injured in the incident.
Rhee's statue, made by one of the country's conservative groups, was erected at the foot of Mount Namsan in Seoul after being removed during a pro-democracy uprising in April 1960 that led to the resignation of Rhee, the nation's first president. The recent move sparked controversy, with some arguing that "setting up the dictator's statue was an insult to the revolution."
The two officers in charge of public security and intelligence in Seoul's Jungbu Police Station were relegated to less important posts at the station, while their station's chief was given a warning, according to officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA).
"The officers dispatched to the scene were supposed to expect that any accidents could take place, as several civic group members against the project were holding a rally," an SMPA official said, explaining the reason behind the disciplinary measures.
