(EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on March 5)

Weeding out corruption

The police???s behavior is incredible. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency had
previously decided to transfer a large number of policemen in southern Seoul -
Gangnam, Seocho and Suseo - to other areas to sever old ties between police and
entertainment establishments. However, the agency decided yesterday to postpone
the transfer.

It was only three days ago that the agency ordered police officers with over
eight years of experience to relocate elsewhere.
In the end, the agency was only rushing about with no purpose. It is worrisome
that misconduct by police officers and a lack of principles and discipline could
result in poor investigation.
The planned transfer was a measure the Seoul police agency came up with after it
discovered that police officers in southern Seoul had inappropriate relationships
with massage parlors in the area.
In its defense, the Seoul police said that the decision to postpone the transfer
came after a realization that just transferring the corrupt officers to another
location would have little effect.
As seen in similar cases, transfers made in 1999 and 2003 did not end misconduct
by police officers.
Corruption is deeply rooted and replacing police officers would not make any
difference.
When spring comes after winter, weeds will grow again. We cannot end misconduct
unless the roots of corruption are hollowed out completely by thorough internal
investigation.
However, the decision to transfer police officers has shown that the police have
more problems than we first thought. If they made a decision to transfer
officers, they should have followed through.
Some police officers complained that the agency held only low-ranking officers
accountable. There was no self-reflection of wrongdoing committed by colleagues.
Police said the transfer would be made after personnel decisions on police
station chiefs are announced shortly.
But the reason behind the delay is a backlash against the transfer. The delay
also revealed that the police force has little authority over its officers.
Discipline is most important thing for police who are supposed to protect laws
and public safety. National Police commissioner general-designate Kang Hee-rak
and other high-ranking police officials should be reminded that discipline comes
from setting the right principles and abiding by them.

(END)