Local Pharmacies as 'Social Safety Net' Hubs... Police Agency and Korea Pharmaceutical Association Sign MOU

Police-Pharmacy Collaboration for Child and Elderly Protection

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the afternoon of the 29th, the National Police Agency and the Korea Pharmaceutical Association signed a "Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen the Protection and Support System for Socially Vulnerable Groups such as Children, Women, and the Elderly" at the National Police Agency building in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

Through this agreement, more than 23,000 pharmacies nationwide will be expanded as a community safety net for the protection and support of socially vulnerable groups. By connecting with the police through pharmacies, which have close contact with local residents, it will be possible to detect and protect against signs of crimes such as child and elder abuse and domestic violence in advance.

In addition, pharmacies near school routes will be designated and expanded as "Child Safety Keeper Houses" to make it easier for children in danger to ask for help. Currently, 1,134 pharmacies nationwide are designated, and this number will be increased considering the willingness of individual pharmacies.

The police and the Pharmaceutical Association also plan to jointly carry out publicity and educational activities to improve public awareness of the protection of socially vulnerable groups such as children and women and to activate reporting of child abuse and domestic violence. The police will also strengthen patrols of single-person pharmacies during vulnerable hours to enable pharmacies to serve as a social safety net.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, emphasized, "To strengthen protection for socially vulnerable groups, a diverse approach is needed from crime prevention to victim support and follow-up management, so there are limits to the efforts of any single government agency or organization. Through collaboration with the Korea Pharmaceutical Association, we will further strengthen the protection and support system for socially vulnerable groups."

Kim Dae-eop, President of the Korea Pharmaceutical Association, said, "These days, when the entire nation is struggling due to COVID-19, pharmacies, which serve as health consultation hubs for local residents, are establishing themselves as spaces for protecting socially vulnerable groups such as preventing child abuse and suicide." He added, “We will work to expand the social positive functions of pharmacies through mutual cooperation with the National Police Agency.”

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