Presidential security team misplaces live bullets

Security cameras installed at the entrance of the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District, May 9. Joint Press Corp

By Lee Hae-rin

A police officer who was guarding the precincts of the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District lost six live bullets last Wednesday and the police have been searching for them for nine days.

According to police, Thursday, an officer from the 101 Presidential Police Security Corps lost six live bullets for a .38-caliber revolver while on duty on May 18. The officer lost the bullets two days before U.S. President Joseph Biden's visit to Korea.

Police officers in patrol divisions here carry pistols charged with one blank and five live bullets. However, the officers from the 101 Presidential Security Corps carry a pistol in a holster and have a separate cartridge of live ammunition. Police suspect that the officer's cartridge could have been unlocked and the entire case lost.

On the day of the incident, the officer was working in the restricted area around the presidential office where only the Presidential Security Service members and military personnel are allowed and no CCTV footage is available. .

The security team immediately made an extensive search in the area but could not find them as of Friday.

The officer was transferred from guarding the presidential office and assigned to escort visitors at the former presidential office and residence, Cheong Wa Dae, which has been open to public since May 10, following the incident.

According to police, the officer said they had no intention of losing the bullets. The police is concentrating on finding the lost bullets and plans to make a decision on the severity of the disciplinary measures for the officer once the investigation ends, as well as to strengthen the weapon management system.

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