Front numbers 998 and 999 are for 'emergency vehicles'... Police car exclusive license plates pass through unmanned barriers

Expectations for Rapid Deployment Possible

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police will implement 'exclusive license plates for police vehicles' starting next month to enable rapid on-site dispatch.

The National Police Agency announced on the 25th that from the 1st of next month, it will assign exclusive numbers to police vehicles to allow them to pass unmanned barriers, such as those at apartment complexes, without stopping by improving and implementing the system.

Since last year, the National Police Agency has been consulting with related ministries including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the National Fire Agency on assigning special license plates to emergency vehicles. In February this year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport revised its notification to assign '998' or '999' as the front number for emergency vehicles.

Accordingly, from the 1st of next month, unmanned barriers at apartment complexes, commercial buildings, public parking lots, and other locations will automatically recognize the front number of emergency vehicles, allowing them to pass without stopping.

The vehicles assigned exclusive numbers include a total of 6,532 units, such as 4,144 112 patrol cars, traffic patrol, accident investigation, criminal patrol, forensic investigation, and escort vehicles. License plate replacements will take place over two weeks from November 1st to 12th, and 807 old painted vehicles scheduled for replacement in December will have their plates changed in line with the supply schedule.

A police official stated, "Allowing unmanned barriers to be passed without stopping will enable even faster on-site dispatch."