Text Fwd: Former KPNA commissioner rejected sound cannon amid safety concerns

Hankyoreh

Former KPNA commissioner rejected sound cannon amid safety concerns
:The former commissioner’s statements add to growing controversy over the KPNA’s recent reversal on its ban of the device

Oct. 8, 2010


Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) Commissioner Cho Hyun-oh answers questions from National Assembly lawmakers about plan to introduce a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) during a National Assembly audit of the KPNA, Seoul, Oct. 7. (Photo by Kim Jin-su)
By Lim Ji-sun　
　
A Democratic Party lawmaker has stated that former Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) Commissioner Kang Hee-rak refused to introduce a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) when then-Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Cho Hyun-oh first proposed it. Kang cited the fact that it was “lethal to the human body” as his reason for refusing it. Led by current Commissioner Cho, the KPNA is now pursuing plans to introduce the LRAD, also called a “sound cannon,” to disperse protests and demonstrations.

During a National Assembly audit session held at the KNPA in the Migeun neighborhood of Seoul’s Seodaemun District on Thursday, DP Lawmaker Jang Se-hwan, a member of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee, described Kang’s response to Cho’s proposal in May.

Jang said, “Given that the standard for sound regulation in the Assembly and Demonstration Act is 80 decibels and this device has a maximum output of 152 decibels, which could be fatal to the human body, we cannot adopt it for use.”

Jang said that he confirmed this quote directly through a telephone conversation with Kang.

“At the time, Cho asked, ‘What are we going to do if the protesters go to the Cheong Wa Dae?’ and Kang refused to allow the use of the device, saying, ‘In that kind of situation, the people of South Korea would understand if we used tear gas,’” Jang added.

In response to Jang’s remarks, Cho said that Kang “did not agree, but I never heard that he definitely opposed it.”

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Photo & video fwd: Sonar Cannon for G 20? No G 20! G 20 에 대비한 음향 대포? G 20 반대 !

* Image source: Voice of Korea 민중의 소리



* Video & caption source: Voice of People 민중의 소리

'MB의 꼬봉 조현오 경찰청장이 G20 회의에 맞춰 국민을 테러 집단으로 규정했죠. 일명 '음향대포' 전진배치...색소탄, 살수차, 곤봉, 군 까지 동원 하던 것도 부족했나 봅니다.
지난 27일, 시위 진압용으로 음향대포를 도입하겠는 경찰의 발표가 있었습니다. 이에 다섯 분의 대통령을 모시고 어떤 입장이신지. 본격적인 토론 시작하겠습니다.'

관련 한국 기사



* Video and caption source: Voice of People 민중의 소리

'G20 대응 민중행동'은 1일 오후 보신각에서 집회를 열고 이명박 정부의 반인권적,반민주적 'G20'를 규탄했다.

Text Fwd: SONIC CANNON USED IN PITTSBURGH

* Bruce Gagnon blog
Saturday, September 26, 2009
SONIC CANNON USED IN PITTSBURGH



The Guardian in the UK reports, "Only a few hundreds protesters took to the streets of Pittsburgh to mark the opening day of the G20 summit of world leaders, but the police were taking no chances.

Sonic weapons or long-range acoustic devices have been used by the US military overseas, notably against Somali pirates and Iraqi insurgents.

But US security forces turned the piercing sound on their own citizens yesterday to widespread outrage. Pittsburgh officials told the New York Times that it was the first time "sound cannon" had been used publicly."

Our government has declared open war on our citizens - at least those of us who disagree with official policy. Peaceful protest in the US is now seen as a declaration of war by the corporate controlled government. They are telling us to submit to their authority......