Prime Minister Han: "Reorganizing Police Force with Public Safety as Top Priority... Considering Revival of Auxiliary Police" (Update)

Prime Minister Han to Deliver National Address on the 23rd
"Use of Firearms and Tasers Authorized to Suppress Criminal Acts"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo recently addressed the surge in indiscriminate violent crimes, stating on the 23rd, “We will prioritize public safety as the top priority of police work and reorganize the police force to strengthen public security capabilities,” and added, “We will also actively consider reintroducing the conscripted police (Uigyeong) to significantly enhance crime prevention capabilities.”

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is delivering a statement on the morning of the 23rd at the Seoul Government Complex to prevent the recurrence of "abnormal motive crimes." The statement was attended by Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong, and Commissioner of the National Police Agency Yoon Hee-geun. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

In a statement released at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Prime Minister Han said, “We will continue the current special public safety activities until the public’s anxiety is alleviated,” and “We will strategically deploy police forces according to crime types and further strengthen patrols.” He also emphasized, “We will work with local governments to greatly expand crime prevention infrastructure such as CCTV, security lights, and emergency bells.”

The conscripted police system is a program where individuals fulfill their military service obligations by assisting military police duties. Through this system, the government has managed tasks such as crowd and protest control, crime prevention, and traffic order. However, due to a decline in military service resources caused by low birth rates, the system was completely abolished in June. Yet, following the stabbing incident at Sillim Station last month and the subsequent wave of indiscriminate crimes, the government has brought back the idea of reinstating the conscripted police system just two months later.

Prime Minister Han explained, “Crimes with abnormal motives targeting innocent citizens are serious issues that break the common sense and basic order of our society,” and added, “The government is fully aware of this situation and is strengthening special public safety activities to respond to heinous crimes.” Furthermore, he stated, “We have decided to implement strong measures to eradicate abnormal motive crimes, which are virtually similar to terrorism.”

He announced, “We will devise punishments and various judicial measures capable of controlling violent crimes,” and said, “We will promote the introduction of life imprisonment without parole and swiftly establish punishment regulations for public threats and carrying weapons in public places.” Regarding the prediction of violent crimes online and fake news, he warned, “We will definitely identify them and respond strongly without leniency.” He reiterated the policy to conduct inspections on those suspected of carrying weapons or exhibiting abnormal behavior, and to decisively suppress criminal acts using physical force such as firearms and tasers.

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is answering reporters' questions during a press conference on the morning of the 23rd at the Seoul Government Complex, where he announced a statement to prevent the recurrence of abnormal motive crimes. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Prime Minister Han stated, “We will also improve the management of the public’s mental health,” and said, “Going forward, we will review and innovate the entire mental health policy, systematizing all processes from prevention and early detection to treatment and daily recovery.” In particular, he mentioned plans to consider introducing a judicial hospitalization system for timely treatment of patients with severe mental illnesses. For victims and their families, a one-stop solution center will be established to provide comprehensive support in legal, economic, psychological, employment, and welfare areas, and the scale of support for medical and caregiving expenses will be expanded.

Prime Minister Han urged, “The government will work with experts and civic groups to address the structural factors behind crime occurrence,” and appealed, “We ask the public to actively cooperate and contribute to building social capital based on trust and inclusion.”

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