TF Launched Between Seoul Metropolitan Government and National Police Agency for 'Autonomous Police System' Implementation in July

'Seoul Autonomous Police Ordinance' Legislative Notice Completed, Aiming for Enactment and Promulgation in May
Seoul City-Seoul Police Agency TF Operation Begins... Practical Cooperation for Launch Preparation, Followed by Secretariat Upgrade

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City is set to fully activate its cooperation system with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency ahead of the full implementation of the ‘Autonomous Police System’ in July. The joint task force (TF) between Seoul City and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, which serves as the practical cooperation body, will be elevated to the ‘Autonomous Police Committee Secretariat’ after the system is implemented.

On the 17th, Seoul City announced that it is currently drafting an ordinance aimed for promulgation in May related to the implementation of the Autonomous Police System, and has also completed the establishment of an internal dedicated organization. The Seoul City-Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency joint task force (TF), responsible for preparatory work before the system’s implementation, began operations on the 10th.

The Autonomous Police System is a system where local governments command and supervise police affairs closely related to residents’ daily lives, such as community safety (including children and youth), traffic, and local security. It will be simultaneously implemented nationwide on July 1st, following the full revision of the Police Act passed in December last year, titled the ‘Act on the Organization and Operation of National and Autonomous Police.’

First, the ordinance that forms the foundation for operating the Autonomous Police System, titled the ‘Ordinance on Autonomous Police Affairs and the Composition and Operation of the Autonomous Police Committee of Seoul Special City’ (Seoul Autonomous Police Ordinance), has completed legislative notice to gather opinions from citizens and various sectors. It is planned to be promulgated in May after review by the Ordinance and Rules Deliberation Committee and the Seoul Metropolitan Council. Seoul City referred to the Police Agency’s ‘Standard Ordinance Draft’ and prepared the ordinance draft after about a month of thorough discussions with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

The Seoul Metropolitan Council has also formed a ‘Subcommittee for Preparing the Implementation of the Autonomous Police’ within the Planning and Economy Committee and began full discussions on the 10th. Weekly discussions will continue regarding matters related to the ordinance review and the implementation of the Autonomous Police System.

The dedicated Seoul City department supporting the operation of the Autonomous Police System (two teams) was newly established within the Seoul City Planning and Coordination Office on January 1st this year. The joint task force (TF), composed of 10 working-level officials from Seoul City and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, was created to narrow the physical distance between the two institutions and handle prompt and organic work consultations, and began operations on the 10th. It operates within Seoul City Hall. The TF is responsible for preparatory tasks such as securing personnel for the Autonomous Police Secretariat and arranging office space until the system is implemented. Once the Autonomous Police System is in place, it will be elevated and operated as the ‘Autonomous Police Committee Secretariat.’

Seoul City is also planning various cooperative projects that link the autonomous police affairs with the autonomous administrative affairs it has previously handled, aiming to create synergy in solving everyday issues such as protecting socially vulnerable groups, community safety, and traffic. For example, it plans to actively discover projects that citizens can tangibly feel and increase satisfaction with in daily life, such as strengthening prevention and response to domestic violence and child abuse, and improving convenience in paying various traffic-related fines.

Jo In-dong, Director of the Seoul City Planning and Coordination Office, said, “The ordinance draft, which was prepared through a month of close collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, is currently being pushed for enactment, and the joint task force for prompt and organic work consultations has also started operating, marking the full activation of the cooperation system between Seoul City and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.” He added, “We will do our best to prepare the Autonomous Police System to raise Seoul’s public safety level by thoroughly consulting with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and actively collecting diverse opinions from citizens and frontline police officers.”

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