Police Form Response Team to Track COVID-19 'Shincheonji Members'... "Strict Action Against Illegal Activities"

Nationwide Leadership Video Conference on the 24th
Strict Response to Collective Illegal Activities
Support for Locating Chinese International Students
Commissioner Min Gap-ryong Orders "Unwavering Response"

National Police Agency Commissioner Min Gap-ryong is delivering opening remarks at the nationwide command video conference on the morning of the 24th. / Photo by National Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the morning of the 24th, the National Police Agency held a nationwide command video conference in response to the elevation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) to the 'serious stage.'

The video conference was presided over by Police Commissioner Min Gap-ryong and attended by all police command officials nationwide, including the heads of 18 provincial police agencies, as well as the heads of five affiliated institutions such as the Police University and Police Hospital. Police chiefs across the country also observed the meeting through the video conference system.

In his opening remarks, Commissioner Min stated, "The government's crisis level has been raised to the serious stage, requiring the mobilization of national and social capabilities to respond," and emphasized, "The police will also align with the government's response by fully mobilizing available personnel, equipment, and facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in this most critical situation."

Commissioner Min continued, "Many provisions of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act require active measures and support from the police, and especially in situations where the health authorities need to exercise coercive and physical force, police backing is extremely important," urging all police officers to maintain a special mindset and respond without any lapses.

During the meeting, the police issued directives to frontline officers including ▲ responding to mass illegal activities ▲ identifying and investigating suspected infected individuals such as Shincheonji church members and tracing missing persons ▲ confirming the whereabouts of Chinese international students ▲ strictly cracking down on the dissemination of false or fabricated information, personal data leaks, and hoarding of hygiene supplies such as masks ▲ infection countermeasures for detainees and detention centers ▲ police personnel support for quarantine facility control and epidemiological investigations.

In particular, to locate Shincheonji church members who have lost contact, joint rapid response teams composed of investigation and criminal units are being organized and operated under the responsibility of each provincial police chief, and joint investigation and tracking teams with health authorities are also being activated. If administrative measures such as health authority inspections are refused, strong warnings will be issued, and in cases of noncompliance or illegal acts, strict judicial actions including arrest on the spot will be taken.

Additionally, the National Police Agency has expanded and reorganized its disaster situation room and established disaster situation rooms in all provincial police agencies, significantly strengthening the disaster management system.

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