[Initial Report] Police Neglect Their Duty... Citizens Left With No One to Rely On

Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency appeared at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency held on the 5th of last month at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and took the witness oath. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Koh Hyung-kwang] Public outrage is growing as incidents where the police respond helplessly to violent crimes that threaten lives continue to occur. On the 19th, a horrific case occurred where a woman in her 30s, who had been stalked, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The victim activated the smartwatch she was given for personal protection twice, but the police searched the wrong location and missed the golden time. The police explained this by citing "the limitations of the location tracking system, which has a large margin of error." After a similar incident in 2017, the police announced measures to check the real-time location of smartwatch wearers through the 112 situation room and a mobile app. Since this is not the first time such an incident has happened, this explanation is nothing but an excuse. Moreover, the victim's officetel residence and the jurisdictional police station, Seoul Jungbu Police Station, are less than 200 meters apart in a straight line. Even if the police had dispatched from the station, it would have been a sufficient distance to cover in one minute.

On the 15th, two police officers, one male and one female, from Incheon Nonhyeon Police Station failed to properly respond to a stabbing incident that occurred in a villa within their jurisdiction, resulting in casualties. A man in his 40s, who had conflicts over noise between floors, wielded a weapon against neighboring families. The female officer present at the scene did not attempt to subdue the suspect but instead ran outside the building to avoid him. She explained that she went outside to request rescue and support. It was later revealed that the male officer with 19 years of experience, who was also at the scene, was passive in helping the victim. Meanwhile, the victim sustained serious injuries and has not regained consciousness to this day. It is known that the victim's family subdued the perpetrator instead of the police, despite being injured themselves. The police's batons, tasers, and pistols were nothing more than decorations. It is not something that can be brushed off by simply placing these officers on standby and suspending the Nonhyeon Police Station chief.

As criticism intensified, the head of the 130,000-strong police organization bowed his head. On the 21st, Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong stated, "Protecting the lives and safety of the people is the police's most important mission and calling, and I deeply apologize to the victims, their families, and the public for failing to protect citizens in danger." On the following day, the 22nd, a video conference was held with provincial police chiefs and police station chiefs to discuss the issues and measures to prevent recurrence. However, they only repeated the meaningless statement that they plan to form a separate task force (TF) to thoroughly investigate the matter and seek solutions to strengthen on-site response capabilities. Eventually, even President Moon Jae-in stepped in, criticizing the police by saying, "The police's top priority duty is to protect the lives and safety of citizens, but an unacceptable incident occurred," yet public outrage has not subsided.

The police are guardians who protect not only the lives and property of the people but also the law and order. Article 3 of the Police Act lists seven duties of the national police, the first being the protection of the lives, bodies, and property of the people, and the second being the prevention, suppression, and investigation of crimes. However, the police have abandoned their duties, and the public cannot help but feel that the fortress defending society has collapsed. Public authority that fails to provide assurance that it will protect the people no matter what is no longer public authority. The reality where the safety of the people is neglected overlaps with the image of the police intoxicated with power, holding the authority to close investigations, leaving a bitter feeling that cannot be erased.

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