South Korean police misconduct investigations

On July 17, 2026, a male police lieutenant in Sejong City was verbally warned after a citizen reported him for overt public affection on a park bench. Internal investigators issued a non‑disciplinary warning and an administrative personnel adjustment. In a separate inquiry, Daejeon police began probing allegations that staff collected a cash “transfer fee” of 700,000‑800,000 won for a senior officer during a reassignment.

By July 26, 2026, the scrutiny broadened. A police chief in North Jeolla Province was investigated for destroying his teenage son’s mobile phone, which had recorded a teacher without consent, leading to a charge of evidence tampering. In Chungju, another officer was accused of removing his shirt and threatening a parent walking his daughter to school; the case was later closed without prosecution. Both incidents drew public criticism and underscored continuing concerns about police conduct and internal accountability in South Korea.