[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] On the afternoon of the 4th, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Gwangju Police Agency held a sector-specific expert advisory meeting for the introduction of the ‘Gwangju-type Autonomous Police System’ in the City Hall Audit Committee meeting room.
At the meeting, local community experts from various fields attended, including Lee Hong-il, Chairman of the Administrative Autonomy Committee of the Gwangju City Council; Ki Woo-sik, Secretary General of Participation Autonomy 21; Oh Ju-seop, Secretary General of Gwangju Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice; Cho Man-hyung, Professor of Police Administration at Dongshin University; and Lee Hoon, Professor of Police Administration at Chosun University. They exchanged diverse opinions on the introduction of the autonomous police system and the composition plan of the autonomous police committee.
The meeting proceeded with Professor Cho Man-hyung, a former member of the National Police Commission, explaining the main contents of the autonomous police system, followed by listening to Gwangju City’s preparation status for the introduction of the autonomous police system, and then a presentation by the Gwangju Police Agency on changes in police administration resulting from the introduction of the autonomous police system.
The City Council stated, “We will form a committee to recommend members so that experts can be recommended as members, and listen to opinions from various sectors during the ordinance review process.”
Civil society organizations proposed establishing mechanisms to respond to citizens’ demands for control to prevent the concentration of power in the police due to the implementation of the autonomous police system, and requested active reflection of civil society’s opinions during the preparation process of the autonomous police system.
Academia advised, “The responsibility of the mayor becomes heavier with the implementation of the autonomous police system,” and added, “While it is important to establish the foundation for the system’s implementation, more detailed administrative design and consultation are necessary to ensure the autonomous police functions operate smoothly in practice.”
The media urged, “To realize the significance of the Gwangju-type autonomous police system, differentiated security services tailored to regional characteristics must be developed.”
Kim Ji-hwan, Director of the Autonomous Administration Division, said, “We are well aware of the citizens’ expectations and concerns regarding the launch of the autonomous police system,” and added, “As this is the first system to be implemented, the city and police will actively cooperate to ultimately realize a Gwangju-type autonomous police system that satisfies citizens, police, and administration alike by continuously gathering opinions from the local community.”
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