[Exclusive] 43% Shortage of Field Personnel at Jigu-dae and Police Substations... 23 Vacancies at a Single Police Station

Complete Survey of 242 Locations in Seoul
Severe Manpower Shortage Raises Concerns Over Security Gaps
Areas with High Public Attention Like Gangnam Also Avoided

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Amid a severe shortage of police personnel protecting the lives and safety of the public, concerns over security gaps are growing.

On the 7th, based on data submitted by the National Police Agency to Asia Economy and Rep. Lee Myungsoo of the People Power Party, a full survey of 242 district police stations and police boxes in the Seoul area revealed that 105 out of 242 locations (43.4%) are understaffed. By police station, the shortage ranges from as few as 2 to more than 20 personnel. Seocho Police Station is the most understaffed with 23 personnel missing, followed by Mapo, Seobu, Gwanak, and Seongbuk, each with shortages of over 10.

Among the district police stations, Cheonho District Police Station of Gangdong Police Station (10 personnel), Jongno 2-ga District Police Station of Jongno Police Station (9 personnel), Daechi District Police Station of Suseo Police Station (9 personnel), Nakseong District Police Station of Gwanak Police Station (9 personnel), Sinchon District Police Station of Seodaemun Police Station (9 personnel), Banpo District Police Station of Seocho Police Station (8 personnel), and Bangi District Police Station of Songpa Police Station (7 personnel) are all operating with insufficient staff. When a 112 emergency call is received, the local district police station or police box must respond immediately, but if rapid response is difficult, it could lead to serious crimes.

This phenomenon is interpreted as reflecting an overall manpower shortage in the organization and a concentration of personnel in certain district police stations and police boxes. Officer A from a district police station said, "In an already understaffed situation, when someone takes leave, cases can pile up by at least 10 each," adding, "The elimination of conscripted police and the increase of riot police, who are then deployed to district police stations, is also a problem."

Officer B stated, "In the past, Gangnam and Seocho were preferred areas, but recently, due to the increase in violent crimes and cases attracting public attention, they have become the top places to avoid."

Regarding this, Professor Lee Woonghyuk of Konkuk University’s Department of Police Science said, "District police stations and police boxes are directly connected to public safety, so if on-site response is inadequate, the damage will directly affect the public," adding, "Even if no major crimes occur, delayed response itself can lead to distrust in the government. Considering the social atmosphere where conflicts among neighbors are intensifying, rather than controlling the police, measures to significantly support on-site personnel should be prepared."

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