Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is reportedly considering issuing guidelines for officers to "actively use" batons, stun guns, capsaicin spray and other equipment to contain mob violence at protests, in light of Sunday's violent attack on a Seoul court by supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to local media outlets, the SMPA is mulling giving such guidelines to police stations and special task forces as early as Tuesday.
Article 10 of the Act on the Performance of Duties by Police Officers defines the type of weapons and equipment that can be used when police are performing their duties, with nonlethal force including handcuffs, ropes, police batons, stun guns, shields, along with sprays ejecting lachrymatory agents and capsaicin.
These nonfatal means are the equipment that are being considered for use in case additional protests turn violent and target police officers, which is what happened at Seoul Western District Court last Sunday.
Yoon's supporters stormed the court, after it granted a second warrant to detain him for criminal investigation on allegations of leading an insurrection and committing abuse of power. Yoon is concurrently also on trial to confirm his impeachment at the Constitutional Court.
Angry protesters attacked police officers guarding the court building, and broke into the building and vandalized the court facilities. They were filmed smashing glass doors, building cladding and office equipment, as well as pouring water on server equipment.
Fifty-one police officers have been injured in the attack and violent protests that followed, including seven who sustained severe injuries. The attackers also mauled 41 civilians, many of whom were members of the press covering the protests.
The attack on the Seoul court is estimated to have inflicted between 600 to 700 million won ($414,300-$483,300) worth of damages to the court's facilities, not counting the damaged equipment of the press.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
