[Exclusive] Starting Next Year, Superintendent-Level Officers Will Be Assigned to 112 Situation Room on Weekdays

Strengthening Authority and Responsibility for 112 Emergency Calls After Itaewon Disaster
Direct Reporting to 'Next Higher Rank' Possible When Superior Rank Is Absent

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Starting next year, police officers at the rank of Chief Superintendent will also be assigned to work in the 112 situation room on weekdays. This measure aims to strengthen the authority and responsibility for 112 emergency call command in the wake of the Itaewon tragedy.

On the 15th, the National Police Agency discussed at the ‘National 112 and Security Function Video Conference’ held the previous day the plan to have Chief Superintendent-level officers work on weekdays in the 112 situation rooms of the headquarters, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, and Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency starting next year.

This information was conveyed to the heads of security divisions at provincial police agencies, chiefs of 112 comprehensive security situation rooms at frontline police stations, and security division chiefs. The directive also included strict adherence to the principle of fixed-position duty.

Currently, at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, three 112 situation room team leaders (Superintendents) alternate as situation managers on weekdays, while Chief Superintendent-level officers are on duty during holidays and public holidays.

During the meeting, the police identified the problems in the Itaewon crush tragedy as ▲failure of the situation reporting system ▲insufficient capability of the situation managers ▲lack of directly available personnel.

Accordingly, if higher-ranking officers cannot be contacted, the next highest rank is allowed to report directly. For example, if the police station chief, who is the higher rank, cannot be reached, the 112 situation room chief can report directly to the Seoul Police Commissioner.

Authority to directly command the riot police was also granted. The Seoul Police Agency can designate one riot police unit to dispatch, and other provincial police agencies are also reviewing this measure. The National Police Agency stated that for such cases, the unit can act immediately without reporting to the commander.

The situation analysis team was instructed to thoroughly review the details of 112 emergency calls. Within the police, it is believed that inadequate response and delayed reporting of 112 calls contributed to the escalation of the tragedy.

It was revealed that Chief Superintendent Ryu Mijin, who was on duty on the day of the Itaewon tragedy, only received the accident report from the 112 comprehensive security situation room team leader (Superintendent) at 11:39 p.m., 1 hour and 24 minutes after the incident occurred, before returning to the situation room, sparking controversy.

Frontline police stations have also strengthened their response to crowd control, fires, and other disaster incidents. A police officer working in the Seoul 112 situation room stated, "We are thoroughly cooperating with the fire department in responding to fire incidents," and added, "We are doing our best to manage crowds, especially in entertainment districts." Another police officer noted, "The importance of initial response to 112 call details is increasing."

Meanwhile, the police special investigation headquarters has announced its intention to thoroughly investigate all measures including situation reporting, communication, and command on the day of the tragedy to uncover the truth. National Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun emphasized, "I believe the truth-finding will encompass all measures such as situation reporting, communication, and command, regardless of rank or position within higher and lower institutions."

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