Seoul: The acting head of the National Police Agency (NPA) apologized to the nation Monday for police restricting access to the National Assembly on the night of President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law last year. Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jae-seong made the apology during an online gathering of senior police leaders nationwide ahead of the first anniversary of Yoon's failed martial law bid on Dec. 3.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoo Jae-seong acknowledged that police restricted lawmakers' entry around the National Assembly on the night of Dec. 3. He referred to the operations to seal access to the National Assembly as lawmakers gathered for a vote to lift Yoon's decree. Yoo described this act as a disruption to democracy and the constitutional order, labeling it as unconstitutional and illegal, thus threatening the daily lives of the people. He expressed a sincere apology for these actions.

Going forward, Yoo pledged that the police will execute their duties with the people in mind, ensuring the protection of the constitutional order. Meanwhile, Cho Ji-ho, head of the NPA, and Kim Bong-sik, former chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, who led the police operations during the martial law, are currently standing trial on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection.