Yoon: "Police to be reorganized focusing on public safety... Crimes against the vulnerable will not be tolerated"

President Yoon Attends 'Police Day Ceremony' for Second Consecutive Year
"Crimes Against Socially Vulnerable Must Not Be Tolerated... Focus All Capabilities"
"Rapid Deployment of New Equipment Like Anti-Stab Gear and Low-Risk Pistols"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 18th, "The police organization must be reorganized to focus on public safety, which is directly linked to the safety of the people, and the on-site response capability must always be enhanced." He strongly ordered that crimes targeting socially vulnerable groups must "never be tolerated."

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon attended the '78th Police Day Commemoration Ceremony' held at the Blue House State Guest House, praising, "Since liberation 78 years ago, the police have faithfully fulfilled their duties as guardians of South Korea's liberal democracy and the rule of law," and gave these instructions. This marks President Yoon's second attendance at the 'Police Day Commemoration Ceremony' following last year. Since the police are an organization that protects public safety on the front lines, he personally visited to express gratitude for the hard work and sacrifices of the 140,000 police officers and to urge strengthening their capabilities.

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a congratulatory speech at the 78th Police Day ceremony held at the Blue House's Yeongbingwan on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News

In particular, President Yoon instructed the reorganization of the police organization to focus on public safety. As a measure to enhance on-site response capability, he said, "Crimes against vulnerable groups such as sexual violence, child abuse, domestic violence, and stalking must never be tolerated," adding, "I hope all efforts will be concentrated so that the people can live safely without feeling the threat and fear of crime in their daily lives."

Earlier, at the Cabinet meeting in August, President Yoon had instructed a thorough structural reorganization of the police organization to fundamentally respond to 'random crimes.' At that time, he also announced plans to "distribute low-risk pistols to all on-site police officers and provide weapon response equipment to 101 riot squads."

On this day, President Yoon placed great significance on the efforts and sacrifices of the police. He stated, "We are doing our best to eradicate habitual violence that was widespread at livelihood and construction sites and to protect our people from livelihood crimes including rental fraud and drugs," and evaluated, "The arrest rate for major violent crimes now approaches 95%, and damages from voice phishing, which threaten the lives of ordinary citizens, have decreased by more than 30% compared to last year." He further explained, "We are providing strong protection for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and child abuse crimes through linkage with protective facilities and psychological treatment support."

He also promised improvements in working conditions and treatment. President Yoon said, "To effectively respond to heinous crimes, we will promptly distribute new advanced equipment such as stab-resistant gear and low-risk pistols," and added, "We have swiftly resolved long-standing police demands such as basic salary increases to the level of public security officers and the multiple rank system. We will continue to implement support measures that match your service and dedication."

Meanwhile, President Yoon awarded the 'Police Hero Plaque' to the bereaved families of the late Sergeant Kang Samsu (born 1923, Sancheong Police Station, Gyeongnam), the late Superintendent Lee Gang-seok (born 1972, Hwaseong West Police Station, Gyeonggi), and the late Inspector Lee Jong-woo (born 1966, Chuncheon Police Station, Gangwon), who died in the line of duty for the nation, expressing his gratitude by saying, "I will build a country where heroes in uniform are respected." At the subsequent government awards ceremony, President Yoon personally presented awards such as the Order of Merit for National Foundation to five individuals, including Police Superintendent Kim Cheol-moon of the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Unit.

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