On June 8, 2026, South Korea's Money Today reported that "an incident occurred in which a police officer deployed to guard a protest was misunderstood by demonstrators as Chinese public security and subjected to verbal abuse."

The victim was a 'Keijo' (equivalent to a Japanese Police Superintendent) belonging to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's 2nd Mobile Unit, and his wife posted on social media, saying, "My husband has been spread through short videos and has become a target of ridicule."

According to the post, this 'Keijo' was deployed on the 5th to guard a protest held at Olympic Park in Songpa District, demanding a rerun of the unified local elections. When asked by demonstrators to state his rank and name, the 'Keijo' explained, "I have just transferred from another agency (Tachon = police agency from another region) and a new ID card has not yet been issued."

However, some participants misheard "Tachon" (another agency) as "Hachon" (subcontractor), and spread false information online such as "Chinese public security is subcontracting for the police." Furthermore, they reportedly hurled insults such as "Are you really Korean police?", "Your way of speaking is strange," and "Aren't you Chinese? What country are you from?", and posted videos of the scene on social media.

The 'Keijo''s wife stated, "Because he couldn't present his ID, he got caught up in the ridiculous suspicion of being Chinese public security," and "The participants continued to mock him, calling him a 'fake police officer' and refusing to listen to his explanation." She also revealed her intention to take legal action against netizens who spread false information about the 'Keijo'. The wife expressed her anger, saying, "Seeing my husband, who, due to his position as a police officer, could not refute a single word on site and had no choice but to endure the abuse, I will do everything in my power to pursue criminal charges and civil lawsuits."

This is not the first time a police officer has been involved in "Chinese public security" suspicions. Two years ago, a police officer who was praised as a "hero of public safety" for rushing into a burning building to evacuate residents and personally extinguishing the fire, was also suspected on social media of being "Chinese public security" solely because his "way of speaking was awkward."

In response to this article, South Korean netizens commented, "If he didn't have anything to prove his identity, he shouldn't have been on site.", "Wouldn't it have been resolved if he had shown his ID on site?", "I want them to take a more sympathetic approach.", and "It's understandable to be suspicious," among others, pointing out issues with the 'Keijo''s handling of the situation.

On the other hand, voices were also raised saying, "They are more like nuisance YouTubers than protestors," and "Those who defy public authority should be arrested on the spot. It's obstruction of business." (Translation/Editing: Mae)