S. Korean police union protests over poor treatment during APEC summit
The National Police Union organized the demonstration in front of the National Police Agency headquarters in Seoul, displaying photos taken by officers at the diplomatic event held from October 31 to November 1. The images reportedly showed officers resting in corridors and theaters, wrapped in thin blankets.
Around 19,000 officers were deployed daily to secure the summit, which was attended by leaders from 21 member economies, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Despite nearly a year of planning, the union said many officers were denied basic accommodations and adequate meals.
An Yu-shin, head of the union’s operations support division, told the media that officers “were treated worse than prisoners.” He said, “Some so-called rest areas had glass-walled bathrooms with no privacy, others were moldy or overcrowded. The meals were cold, poorly prepared and in some cases, officers got nothing at all.”
The union also criticized pay practices, noting that extended shifts, travel, and waiting times were not counted as official working hours.
The National Police Agency acknowledged the shortcomings, attributing them to the limited capacity of Gyeongju's Bomun Tourist Complex, where most officers were housed. It added that the meal plan collapsed after the Gyeongju Gymnasium, originally intended as the main dining hall, was repurposed for summit use shortly before the event.
“We regret that some officers experienced discomfort despite prior efforts,” the agency said, promising a review to prevent similar issues in the future.
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