[New Year's Address] Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "Goals: Strengthening Safety Nets, Eradicating Illegal Activities, Protecting the Vulnerable"

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] On the 31st, Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated in his New Year's address, "We will become an organization that is more responsible and dedicated to public safety and the establishment of law and order," revealing three key focus areas for the new year: 'strengthening the social safety net,' 'strict measures against illegal activities,' and 'protection of vulnerable groups.'

Reflecting on the past year, Commissioner Yoon said, "Has there ever been a more turbulent period for the Korean police than this year, with the police at the center of numerous issues and challenges?" He added, "We must inherit what should be inherited, correct what needs correction, and design a new future for the police."

He promised the public that the police would become an organization that is responsible and dedicated to public safety and the establishment of law and order.

Recalling the Itaewon tragedy, he said, "Local governments, police, fire departments, and other related agencies received much criticism from the public."

He continued, "We will drastically enhance our ability to recognize risks and crises, strengthen our skills and cooperation and communication systems to ensure that such disasters never recur," emphasizing, "Based on advanced technology, we will advance 'proactive preventive policing' to transform blind spots in public protection into safe zones."

He also expressed his determination to thoroughly protect legality while strictly taking action against illegal activities to establish compliance and order.

He stated, "Collective illegal activities at construction sites, which have long been widespread, remain a serious problem," stressing, "This is something that can never happen in a democratic rule-of-law country."

In particular, he added that the police would deploy all their capabilities to eradicate bad practices and corruption, learning lessons from the response to the Cargo Solidarity's collective transport refusal.

In the same context, he conveyed his intention to root out malicious violence in daily life, such as drunken violence and organized extortion violence.

Commissioner Yoon emphasized, "Respecting the law is the foundation of safety and fairness," and stated, "The proposition that 'breaking the law results in loss' and 'obeying the law results in gain' will become a natural belief among citizens."

He also announced plans to strengthen public safety for ordinary citizens.

He promised to continue efforts until the public can feel the eradication of malicious fraud such as jeonse fraud and voice phishing, as well as drug-related crimes, and pledged to implement strong measures against economic disorder activities such as illegal private loans and fraudulent receipt of government subsidies.

Furthermore, he vowed to concentrate efforts not only on punishing perpetrators but also on protecting victims in crimes against socially vulnerable groups, such as stalking, domestic violence, and child abuse, while promoting the confiscation and seizure of criminal proceeds.

He also expressed his ambition to make 2023 the "first year of future policing."

He declared, "We will establish a 'Future Policing Policy Bureau' within the National Police Agency to present a blueprint and direction for scientific and advanced policing," adding, "We will detect upcoming policing issues in advance, devise solutions, and implement practical and visible future policing by expanding cutting-edge equipment and big data and AI-based systems."

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