“Reintroducing Auxiliary Police? Personnel Reallocation?” Confusion... Dissatisfaction Within Police Ranks Too

Prime Minister's Office Changes Stance on "Reintroducing Police Conscripts" in One Day
Complaints Within Police: "Being Dragged Along by the Government"

Recently, as heinous crimes have occurred one after another, the police declared a special security operation for the first time in history. However, there are criticisms that the measures to increase on-site personnel are merely temporary fixes.

In particular, there is growing discontent within the organization toward the police leadership, who have been unable to find direction while offering conflicting explanations during discussions. Critics argue that only temporary measures are being proposed without an accurate diagnosis.

On the 20th, a media report stated, “There is concern about security gaps due to a shortage of lower-ranking personnel primarily deployed for on-site security in the police.” It mentioned a large-scale vacancy among ranks classified as non-officers, such as Sun-gyeong (constable), Gyeong-jang (sergeant), and Gyeong-sa (staff sergeant).

In response, on the 22nd, the National Police Agency issued a press release stating, “All personnel below the rank of Gyeong-wi (lieutenant), totaling 104,221, are directly deployed to security sites, and even Gyeong-gam (captains) are actively engaged in on-the-ground patrol duties.” Subsequently, Deputy Commissioner Jo Ji-ho met with reporters and actively explained, “Operations are being conducted without any security gaps.”

However, on the morning of the 23rd, at a session accompanying Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s statement at the Seoul Government Complex, Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun said, “Although there are 140,000 police officers, the number of police who can be active on the streets at any given time is around 30,000,” adding, “The actual number of active personnel at any given time is not as high as the public might think.” This was effectively an acknowledgment of a security gap.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is leaving the press conference room after delivering a statement on the morning of the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Following this, Prime Minister Han announced the ‘Prime Minister’s Statement on Preventing Recurrence of Abnormal Motive Crimes,’ stating, “We will actively consider reintroducing the Mandatory Police Service (Uigyeong) to significantly strengthen crime prevention capabilities.”

At this event, Commissioner Yoon also presented a specific timetable for reviving the Mandatory Police Service system. He said, “We will consult with the Ministry of National Defense and others on a plan to sequentially recruit and operate about 7,500 to 8,000 personnel, including 3,500 experienced rapid response team members and 4,000 personnel to be deployed at major metropolitan bases,” adding, “It will take about 7 to 8 months.”

However, the Prime Minister’s Office reversed its position the next day on the 24th, stating, “Reallocation of police personnel is a priority, and the Mandatory Police Service will be reconsidered for reintroduction if necessary.”

Faced with this predicament, the police ultimately made a sharp turn toward resolving the shortage of security personnel internally through organizational restructuring. According to the police and government on the 26th, the National Police Agency is reviewing several organizational restructuring plans aimed at implementation next month.

Inside and outside the police, it is widely expected that the plan will significantly reduce investigative personnel, which increased by about 1,000 in the first half of this year, to replenish personnel at district police stations and local police boxes. There are also forecasts that direct investigative departments within the National Investigation Headquarters, such as the Major Crime Investigation Division and the Cyber Terrorism Investigation Unit, will be abolished, and that investigative personnel at city and provincial police agencies will be cut by about 30%.

It is also anticipated that functions somewhat distant from public safety, such as traffic and foreign affairs, will be reduced first by abolishing the Traffic Bureau and Foreign Affairs Bureau and establishing new departments for crime prevention and response, especially for heinous crimes.

However, as the plan to resolve on-site personnel shortages through the recruitment of Uigyeong is again deprioritized, dissatisfaction is emerging at the front lines.

An official from the metropolitan area police said, “Ultimately, an organizational restructuring that reduces investigative authority and strengthens security capabilities as the government desires will take place,” criticizing, “The police leadership only appeared to be dragged along, unable to maintain a steady course amid the government’s ‘morning decree, evening change’ style policies.”

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