The country's police chief on Monday urged law enforcement officers to strengthen public security amid social turmoil following the political scandal involving a confidante of President Park Geun-hye.
"There have been worries that a vacuum in public security could come due to the latest social turmoil," Lee Cheol-seong said during a meeting with senior officers at the police headquarters in western Seoul. "We should commit to our duties unwaveringly."
The remarks came as rallies continued throughout the country over allegations that Choi Soon-sil interfered in state affairs and peddled her influence, using her decades-old ties with the president. She does not hold any official government post.
"(Police) should pay careful attention to handling rallies so that the people's basic rights can be harmoniously protected within the legal boundaries," Lee stressed, referring to the large anti-government rally scheduled to take place in Seoul on Nov. 12.
He ordered officers to check the related regulations and procedures and make sure they follow the rules at demonstrations.
On Sunday, more than 10,000 citizens took to the streets, demanding the resignation of the president. Police mobilized about 8,000 officers as a contingency, but the rally ended peacefully. (Yonhap)