Crime Reports During Lunar New Year Holiday in Gwangju Area Decrease Compared to Last Year

112 Report Cases Down 8.2% · Major Crimes Down 13.9%

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency (Chief Choi Gwan-ho) conducted a comprehensive security operation for the Lunar New Year holiday from the 20th to the 27th, involving all departments including local police, detectives, traffic officers, and community organizations (such as autonomous crime prevention squads). As a result, reports of major crimes to 112 and traffic accidents decreased.

According to Gwangju Police on the 27th, the average daily number of 112 emergency calls during this year’s Lunar New Year holiday in the Gwangju area decreased by 8.2% (from 1,444 to 1,325) compared to last year’s holiday period.

Among these, major crimes (murder, robbery, assault, theft, sexual violence, kidnapping and confinement, domestic violence, child abuse, and dating violence) decreased by 13.9% (from 34.4 to 29.6 cases).

Reports of domestic violence dropped by 18% on average per day (from 18.6 to 15.3 cases), and the five major crimes decreased by 5.1% (from 31.5 to 29.9 cases).

The Gwangju Police mobilized all traffic officers (an average of 80 personnel and 30 pieces of equipment daily) to carry out visible safety activities.

During the holiday period, when traffic volume significantly increased, officers were deployed mainly at highway interchanges to disperse vehicles entering and exiting the city, and the signal cycles at 176 intersections on eight main gateway roads were extended to facilitate smooth traffic flow.

In particular, due to increased visitation vehicles on Lunar New Year’s Day causing congestion in some sections, 49 traffic police officers were stationed around the municipal cemetery to alleviate traffic congestion caused by visitors.

As a result, traffic accidents decreased by an average of 49.8% per day (from 14.6 to 7.3 cases), with no fatalities, and injuries dropped by 69.8% (from 29.8 to 9 cases).

Additionally, before the holiday, comprehensive inspections were conducted on cash-handling businesses (1,215 locations) such as convenience stores and jewelry stores with vulnerable security facilities, as well as crime-prone areas (255 locations).

Convenience stores operated by a single woman during late-night and early-morning hours, which had weak crime prevention facilities, were designated as priority management stores (a total of 165 locations), and intensive patrols were conducted every two hours at each store.

To prevent jewelry store thefts, recent theft cases and prevention methods were shared, and promotional activities were carried out recommending reinforcement of security facilities.

At financial institutions, a dedicated management system was implemented, and voice phishing prevention campaigns were conducted targeting bank tellers and elderly customers. During the holiday period, officers were deployed during business hours at two open financial institutions (including Namgwangju Saemaeul Geumgo) to thoroughly prevent crimes targeting cash.

A Gwangju Police Agency official stated, “We will continue to carry out flawless security activities until the end of the holiday,” adding, “In cases of reports related to the ‘coronavirus’ disease, we will coordinate with health authorities to respond quickly and safely.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.