Increasing Personal Protection Smartwatches and Strengthening On-Site Inspections... Police 'Victim Protection' Measures (Comprehensive)

Expanded to 3,700 units by January next year
Enhanced risk assessment checklist
Strengthened CCTV risk alert function

Police Agency building. [Photo by Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] On the 27th, the police announced that they will prepare a "Comprehensive Plan for the Protection of Crime Victims" that includes strengthened protective measures for victims, following the murder case of a middle school student in Jeju.

To respond to the rapidly increasing demand for personal protection, the police plan to increase the number of smartwatches from the current 2,300 units to 3,000 units by September, and further to 3,700 units by January next year. The number of personal protection cases handled by the police has increased annually: 9,442 cases in 2018, 13,686 cases in 2019, and 14,773 cases last year.

In particular, in the first half of this year alone, 10,148 personal protection measures were taken, marking an approximately 47% increase compared to the same period last year. To prevent a recurrence of the Jeju incident, the police will strengthen real-time smartwatch inventory management by each station, on-site inspections of personal protection status, and training for those in charge. Regarding the Jeju case, the police were criticized for a complacent response after confirming that extra smartwatches were available but failing to inform the victim’s family, as they had not been able to provide one due to a lack of stock.

The police will also collaborate with external experts to help officers accurately assess the need for personal protection and identify targets at the scene. They plan to supplement a "Risk Assessment Checklist" that comprehensively considers perpetrator factors (criminal record, violence) and victim factors (degree of vulnerability to crime). To enhance real-time monitoring and risk alert functions of personal protection closed-circuit (CCTV), they plan to introduce "AI-type CCTV" capable of recognizing specific individuals’ faces.

Additionally, the plan will include ▲strengthening victim personal protection ▲psychological, economic, and legal support tailored to types of victimization ▲measures to protect victim information. In cases where retaliation crimes such as robbery, violence, sexual violence, and stalking are feared, and reoffending is a concern, the plan includes mandatory notification to victims when suspects are released and strengthened personal protection measures. This applies equally when suspects are arrested or voluntarily accompany police and then return home, with additional victim protection measures such as smartwatch issuance and registration in the 112 emergency reporting system.

In the mid to long term, the police will pursue legislation to expand victim restraining orders, currently applied only to domestic violence, child abuse, and stalking crimes, to perpetrators of serious crimes such as murder, robbery, and sexual violence. Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong stated, "Crime prevention, investigation, and victim protection are two sides of the same coin," and added, "We will prepare a substantial 'Comprehensive Plan for the Protection of Crime Victims' based on advice from external experts."