Momentum Builds for Improving Security Services in Jeonnam Island Areas... Consecutive National Fund Acquisitions

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The improvement of security services in the island areas of Jeonnam has gained momentum through consecutive national fund acquisitions.

The Jeonnam Provincial Autonomous Police Committee (Chairman Jo Man-hyung) announced on the 10th that it secured a special grant of 500 million KRW for the installation of CCTV at regular route ferry terminals.

This follows the achievement of securing 450 million KRW in national funds after the ‘Island Area Security Drone and Operation System Development Project’ was selected in a government contest.

The ‘Island Area Security Drone and Operation System Development Project,’ selected for the ‘2022 Resident-Engaged On-Site Problem Solving Project’ jointly hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Science and ICT, aims to develop a drone patrol system for island areas where police officers have difficulty operating.

The system operates by loading security drones onto mobile control vehicles, moving them to the mainland near the islands for patrols, and monitoring the recorded footage at the mobile control vehicle and the integrated control center of the internal video network (CCTV).

Plans are also underway to develop a long-range, high-power acoustic transmission system capable of delivering voice and warning sirens from the control vehicle in case of emergencies during patrols.

Notably, this project is being carried out with the communication and participation of residents in islands such as Sanghwado, Hwahwado, and Deukryangdo in Goheung, making it highly aligned with the autonomous police system’s aim of police democracy and resident participation.

Through this project selection, 300 million KRW was secured from the Ministry of Science and ICT’s research and development (R&D) budget, and 150 million KRW from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s non-R&D budget, totaling 450 million KRW in national funds. The total project cost of 800 million KRW includes 150 million KRW from provincial funds, 50 million KRW from Goheung County, and 150 million KRW in private support (Korean Air).

The project is being conducted jointly by the Jeonnam Autonomous Police Committee, Suncheon National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Korean Air, Jeonnam Police Agency, Jeonnam Technopark, and Goheung County.

The ‘Regular Route Ferry Terminal CCTV Installation Project’ involves installing new internal video networks at manned ferry terminals on regular routes to islands where police officers are not stationed and where such networks have not yet been installed.

Ferry terminals are places mainly used by island residents and tourists, and installing internal video networks there significantly enhances crime prevention.

The Jeonnam Autonomous Police Committee continuously requested the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to address the need to strengthen responses for socially vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly living on islands, resulting in securing a special grant of 500 million KRW in the first round of 2022.

Going forward, among the six cities and counties with islands, 49 regular route ferry terminals without resident police officers will be targeted. The Jeonnam Police Agency and relevant local governments will review urgency and effectiveness to select the final project sites and install internal video networks.

Chairman Jo Man-hyung of the Jeonnam Autonomous Police Committee said, “The selection for this contest project and securing the special grant are significant achievements that align with the purpose of implementing an autonomous police system providing security services tailored to regional characteristics. We will continue to work together with residents, the autonomous police committee, local governments, and the police to implement region-customized security policies.”

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