▲ Alumni of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology visit the National Police Agency on Feb. 20, 2024, to file a complaint. (Yonhap)

KAIST graduates-complaint

KAIST alumni file complaint against PSS over forceful hauling of graduating student

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Yonhap) -- A group of alumni from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) filed a complaint Tuesday against the Presidential Security Service after PSS agents forcefully carried a graduating student out of last week's graduation ceremony for shouting at President Yoon Suk Yeol.

On Friday, Shin Min-ki, a KAIST graduate and member of a minor progressive party, had his mouth covered by PSS agents and was carried out of the ceremony by his limbs after creating a scene by shouting at Yoon during his congratulatory speech.

Shin shouted a demand for an increase in the government's research and development (R&D) budget after the Yoon government slashed the budget to reallocate funds to other areas.

A group of 26 KAIST alumni on Tuesday filed a complaint with the police against the chief and members of the PSS, accusing them of abuse of authority, violence and illegal detention.

The complainants included Kim Hye-min, the school's 2004 student body president, who is now affiliated with the main opposition Democratic Party.

Kim Dong-a, a lawyer representing the complainants, said, "In a democratic nation, it is the due right of the people to protest against a president's policies and shout demands," accusing presidential guards of excessively overpowering Shin.

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[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]