[Full Text] President Moon's Speech on the 75th Police Day Commemoration

Dear fellow citizens,

Residents of Chungnam Province and citizens of Asan,

All 150,000 police families nationwide,

Asan City is a genuine comprehensive police city, home to the Police Human Resources Development Institute,

the Police Investigation Training Institute, and the Korean National Police University.

At the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak,

the people of Chungnam and Asan willingly welcomed the evacuees from Wuhan,

and the police provided the Police Human Resources Development Institute here as a living facility.

The spirit of sharing and consideration that began in Asan

became the foundation for the success of K-Quarantine,

and Asan, the police city,

has become an unforgettable city for the people.

It is very meaningful to hold the 75th anniversary ‘Police Day’ ceremony

at the Police Human Resources Development Institute, symbolizing the city of sharing and consideration, Asan,

and the police’s service and dedication.

I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my respect and gratitude

to the citizens of Asan and the 150,000 police families

who gave our people the confidence to overcome COVID-19.

Dear citizens,

The opening of today’s event was led by police officers from Dokdo Guard at the easternmost tip of the country,

Marado at the southernmost point, and Gageodo in the southwest.

Wherever the people are, the police are with them anywhere in our land, which is truly reassuring.

Although the nature of the work is sometimes called an extreme job,

our police overcome difficulties with a sense of mission and responsibility

and are creating the ‘safest country’.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This year, especially, in the face of the national challenge of overcoming COVID-19,

the police have fulfilled their mission unwaveringly and have been a great strength to the people.

During the period when ‘social distancing’ was strengthened,

COVID-19-related 112 emergency calls more than doubled to about 130 calls per day,

and a total of 240,000 police officers

protected the lives and health of the people through various quarantine support activities

alongside their primary duties.

Even during large-scale rallies on holidays when there were concerns about COVID-19 resurgence,

the police minimized infringement on citizens’ basic rights

and responded strictly to unlawful collective actions.

They flexibly adapted to on-site situations

and successfully prevented the resurgence of COVID-19, for which the police’s efforts are highly commendable.

It is also very proud that the world recognizes the capabilities of our police.

Police quarantine activities have attracted attention to the extent of sharing know-how with the UN and Interpol,

and through international police cooperation, have greatly contributed to the globalization of ‘K-Quarantine.’

The ‘Korean-style dialogue police officer system’ and

the ‘open and communicative’ approach to managing assemblies and demonstrations

are exemplary cases of administrative innovation

and have established themselves as representative ‘security Hallyu content.’

Against the unusually long heavy rains and successive typhoons last summer,

the police protected the people firmly through preventive patrols in flood and landslide-prone areas, traffic management on vulnerable roads,

flood recovery, and rescue operations.

Police officers who did not hesitate to jump into the sea during their honeymoon to save lives,

and those who passed away in tragic accidents but saved more neighbors through organ donation,

show that our police dedicate themselves beyond their duties with the mission of being ‘Korean police.’

We sincerely encourage the 150,000 police officers and their families who have quietly stood by their side.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Many fallen heroes have left us, including the late Sergeant Yoo Jae-guk, who died in the line of duty while searching for a missing person in the Han River,

and the late Inspector Lee Jong-woo, who died while performing his duties at Uiam Lake.

However, we will never forget their noble sacrifices and dedication.

We also extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families who carry their longing in their hearts.

Dear citizens,

Wherever there is someone in need,

the police who run first to the scene anytime and anywhere

deserve the greatest respect and love from the people.

To become ‘police who are respected and loved,’

our police have worked tirelessly this year

to reform themselves.

We formed a special investigation headquarters to respond to digital sex crimes,

arresting about 2,000 related individuals

and detaining 185 of them.

We established a joint inspection team with related agencies to identify children at risk in blind spots of care,

and conducted focused inspections on 8,500 children at risk of re-abuse.

Efforts to establish a ‘people-centered’ traffic culture

have also achieved significant results, steadily reducing traffic accident fatalities every year.

We are also expanding ‘restorative police activities.’

By broadening the scope of activities to include the true recovery of victims and the social adaptation of offenders,

we are dedicating ourselves to building a ‘country where we live well together.’

Crime victims in need of help are always welcome to visit victim support departments nationwide.

Intensive self-reform

has increased public trust in the police.

The police have promoted 330 reform tasks so far,

established human rights protection regulations to institutionalize human rights-friendly investigations.

Through the adjustment of investigative authority,

we have laid the groundwork to enhance the independence and accountability of police investigations.

We are preparing to launch the ‘National Investigation Headquarters,’

which will play a central role in national investigations.

By separating investigative police from administrative police,

we will further strengthen investigative capabilities and political neutrality,

harmonizing ‘responsible investigations’ and ‘democratic control.’

With reform legislation fulfilling long-standing police wishes,

we hope to establish a responsible investigation system based on fairness and professionalism as a ‘proud and responsible police force.’

If the completeness of the soon-to-be-launched National Investigation Headquarters is enhanced,

the public will trust the police’s investigative capabilities even more.

Dear police officers,

I support the challenge of the ‘Korean police’

that changes to meet the expectations of the people.

The people deserve safety not only from crime but also from various disasters and risks in daily life.

I emphasize proactive and active ‘preventive police activities.’

To respond to the rapidly approaching non-face-to-face civilization due to COVID-19,

we must accelerate ‘digital police innovation’ across all security fields.

The police are already opening new horizons for digital policing

through the expansion of non-face-to-face and online services.

If advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data are integrated into police activities,

the on-site security capabilities will be dramatically enhanced throughout the entire process from prevention, 112 emergency calls, on-site dispatch, to investigation.

With cooperation from the National Assembly,

the autonomous police system will be implemented soon.

It is a way to respond to the demand for expanded local autonomy

and strengthen community safety,

but it fundamentally changes the police organization system that has continued for 75 years.

It may feel unfamiliar to the public and on-site police officers,

and there may be confusion in actual operation.

To minimize confusion and lead to change and leap forward,

I ask for active acceptance and thorough preparation.

When the authority for major security investigations is transferred to the police,

the police’s responsibilities in national security will also increase.

Please do your best to enhance security investigation capabilities and counter-terrorism security capabilities

so that there is no gap in protecting the safety and security of the people.

The government will never forget the police’s hard work,

and will do its best to ensure they receive appropriate treatment.

With a sense of mission and pride commensurate with high risks and broad responsibilities,

the government will accompany the police so they can unwaveringly walk the path of ‘democratic, human rights, and people-centered policing.’

Above all, I will be a strong supporter of the police on the ground.

I will do my best to help the police protect their own lives and safety.

In case of injury during duty,

we will support leave for treatment and medical expenses to be a source of strength.

We will improve laws and systems to support responsible law enforcement,

steadily promote the increase of 20,000 police officers,

and support improvements to the long-awaited seniority promotion system for 150,000 police officers.

Dear fellow citizens,

Residents of Chungnam Province and citizens of Asan,

Police families,

During the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, the late Chief Superintendent Lee Jun-gyu of Mokpo Police Station

refused the military dictatorship’s order to violently suppress the people.

By ordering “Do not shoot at citizens,”

he protected the lives and safety of the citizens.

However, Chief Superintendent Lee Jun-gyu was taken to the Security Command,

detained and brutally tortured for 90 days,

and was dismissed with the stigma of being an ‘incompetent and negligent police officer.’

Forty years have passed.

Truth and justice cannot be buried by time.

Finally, today,

Chief Superintendent Lee Jun-gyu returned to us as a police hero in 2020.

The honoring of Chief Superintendent Lee Jun-gyu as a police hero

is also a promise by the police to never repeat the dark history

and to unwaveringly walk the path of democratic police, warm human rights police, and trustworthy people-centered police.

The role of the police is more important than ever

to create a society where ‘safety becomes daily life and fairness becomes common sense.’

If each person walks the honorable path of the ‘Korean police’ with pride,

the people will respond with greater ‘respect and love.’

I will accompany you on that path as well.

Once again, congratulations on Police Day,

and I wish all police families success and happiness. Thank you.