A police officer who leaked investigation information regarding actor Lee Seon-kyun (48), who died while being investigated for drug use, filed a lawsuit against the dismissal order but lost.
The Incheon District Court's Administrative Division 1-3 (Director General Jang Yu-jin) announced on the 22nd that it ruled against the plaintiff in the lawsuit filed by former police officer A against the Incheon Police Chief to cancel the dismissal.
Former police officer A is accused of leaking materials (investigation progress reports) containing the status of the investigation into the drug allegations against Lee by taking photographs and transmitting them to two reporters, including B.
The report he leaked was prepared by the Incheon Police Agency's Drug Crime Investigation Unit on October 18, 2023, and included personal details such as names, criminal records, identities, and occupations related to Lee's drug case.
A media outlet received the materials from B and reported the edited version of the report's photographs and contents on December 28, 2023, the day after Lee's death.
In response, the Incheon Police Agency held a disciplinary committee and dismissed former police officer A for violating obligations of fidelity and confidentiality. Dismissal is considered a serious disciplinary action alongside dismissal, demotion, and suspension for police officers.
However, former police officer A filed a request for review to contest the disciplinary action, and after it was dismissed, he expressed that he felt wronged and filed an administrative lawsuit in February.
A's side argued, "Considering the usual relationship between the police and reporters, providing information and cooperating with reporters should not be seen as something greatly reprehensible," adding that he deeply reflects on his misconduct and that the fact he has served faithfully as a police officer for ten years should be considered, making the dismissal excessively harsh and illegal.
However, the court ruled that the reasons for the disciplinary action were legitimate and that the relevant procedures were carried out legally.
The court stated, "Former police officer A was a police officer requiring a high level of compliance and ethical conduct due to the nature of his duties," and determined that he was in a position to fully recognize the importance of protecting personal information of suspects in ongoing investigations and maintaining confidentiality of investigation details.
It continued, "The suspect's booking status, if leaked, could hinder the investigation," and found that the defendant illegally leaked information acquired without authority, infringing on the rights of the suspects and undermining the public nature of police duties, making the severity of the misconduct very serious.
Former police officer A is appealing the first-instance ruling, with the appeal proceedings scheduled to take place at the Incheon branch of the Seoul High Court.
He is also being tried for allegations of leaking confidential information related to his official duties at the Incheon District Court.
Earlier, a 44-year-old investigator from the Incheon District Prosecutor's Office, who informed two local newspaper reporters about the investigation status of actor Lee twice, was also charged alongside former police officer A.
Actor Lee was booked on criminal charges on October 14, 2023, and was summoned by the police for questioning three times over two months, and was found dead on December 26 of the same year near Waryong Park in Jongno, Seoul, four days after the third interrogation.