Greater Immunity Sought for Police
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
The government is moving to grant police officers greater immunity from legal responsibility even if they inflict physical injury in the course of carrying out their duties, to the consternation of opposition parties and civic groups.
``Even if police officers cause injury to people, the officers should be immune from legal responsibility if it was done while executing their legitimate duties,'' Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han said at a forum hosted by the governing Grand National Party (GNP), Thursday. ``In recent months, some protesters attacked police officers and ridiculed them. We can never tolerate this.''
His remarks drew immediate criticism from opposition party members who claim it might lead to the abuse of law enforcement.
The controversial comment is in line with the government's efforts to take a tougher stance on violent protesters. The government has taken harsh measures against demonstrators in the wake of the nearly three-month-long street demonstrations against the resumption of U.S. beef imports.
The largest opposition Democratic Party criticized the move alleging it would permit the abuse of law enforcement and infringe upon people's basic legal rights.
DP Rep. Park Ji-won said, ``The minister's comment implies the government would ignore police officers abusive crackdown that even violates human rights.'' Another DP lawmaker, Woo Yoo-keun, said, ``The government is working to offer more privilege to the police. It may even violate basic human rights that the Constitution guarantees.''
GNP members claimed it was justifiable for police to use force in response to violent protesters.
``The current law allows police officers' to use force to some degree when the need arises,'' Rep. Chang Yoon-seok of GNP said. ``Of course, the best choice is not to use force, but if necessary, it should be allowed.''