In December 1838, the Joseon dynasty's Ministry of Justice reported to King Heonjong about a disturbing incident between a commoner named Oh Hak-cheol and police officer Choi Jong-su. According to Oh's submission to the Ministry, the conflict arose from a minor issue, escalating into a knife fight that resulted in the tragic death of Oh's 17-day-old newborn who was inadvertently killed by Choi during the altercation. Investigations revealed that it was actually Oh Hak-cheol who had attacked Choi with a knife and was responsible for the child's death, leading to questions about Oh's motives in shifting the blame onto Choi.

However, the incident reflects broader issues of abuse and corruption within the police force. After the altercation, officers from the Left Police Office, despite not being responsible for the incident, arrested Oh and his wife under false pretenses, claiming they had committed theft. They subject Oh to severe torture to extract a false confession, ultimately seizing all of his possessions. The Ministry of Justice sought to address this abuse of power, asserting that Oh's actions should be dealt with through due legal process instead of through extrajudicial punishment meted out by the police.

The situation escalated further when the Left Police Office refused to comply with the Ministry's orders regarding the misconduct of their officers. Instead, they contended that they had acted correctly, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the authority of the Ministry of Justice. This power struggle resembles tensions between lower and higher levels of government, and the Ministry's call for the dismissal of a police chief underscores the significant implications of this case for justice and law enforcement accountability in the Joseon period.