Police University Crime Policy Research Institute Publishes 'Crime Network 2022'
Numerous Crimes Against Socially Vulnerable Groups Including Child Abuse
Investigation Authority Adjustment and Autonomous Police Implementation
Suspect Kim Taehyun, accused of breaking into an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, and killing three women of a family, is being transferred to the prosecution at Dobong Police Station in Seoul on the 9th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Despite hopes at the start of 2021, various incidents and accidents continued throughout the year. The issue of child abuse, triggered by the 'Jeong-in Incident,' reignited public outrage with the case of a 20-month-old daughter who was abused, murdered, and abandoned in an icebox. The 'Three Mothers Murder Case' committed by Kim Tae-hyun (25) led to calls for the prompt enforcement and improvement of the Stalking Punishment Act, while the 'Electronic Ankle Bracelet Destruction Murder Case' perpetrated by Kang Yoon-sung (56) raised questions about the effectiveness of electronic ankle bracelets.
There was also a series of sex crime cases that sparked social outrage. The suicide of an Air Force female sergeant revealed not only the ugly reality of sexual crimes within the military but also the isolated nature of the organization. The sexual assault case involving a female middle school student in Cheongju highlighted the need for changes in the judicial system regarding familial sexual violence and improvements in victim protection systems. Various illegal filming crimes continued to cause anxiety within local communities.
There were significant changes in the policing system as well. The term 'great upheaval' aptly describes the year. The implementation of the adjustment of investigative authority between prosecutors and police, the launch of the National Investigation Headquarters, and the full implementation of the autonomous police system marked a complete overhaul of the police organization. However, challenges remain, such as strengthening police investigative capabilities and establishing the role of autonomous police.
On the 30th, the Police University Institute of Security Policy published 'Security Network 2022,' selecting the 'Top 10 Security Issues of 2021,' which included these incidents.
The top 10 security issues selected by the institute were ▲Jeong-in child abuse case ▲National investigation structure reform and the first year of police responsibility for investigations ▲Nowon-gu three mothers stalking murder and enforcement of the Stalking Punishment Act ▲Han River medical student disappearance case ▲Cheongju female middle school student sexual assault case ▲Air Force female sergeant suicide case ▲Full implementation of the autonomous police system ▲Icebox girl murder case ▲Electronic ankle bracelet destruction case ▲Illegal filming crimes.
Among these, the Cheongju female middle school student case, the Air Force female sergeant case, and illegal filming crimes are all related to 'sex crimes.' The Jeong-in case and the icebox girl murder were child abuse cases. Including the Nowon-gu three mothers stalking murder, a significant number of these cases involved women and children, who are relatively vulnerable. Notably, despite the enforcement of the Stalking Punishment Act following the three mothers case, a stalking murder occurred in an officetel in Jung-gu, Seoul, in November, highlighting the limitations of the current Stalking Punishment Act.
The Han River medical student disappearance case starkly revealed public distrust in the police, regardless of the facts. It also raised the need to supplement CCTV coverage in Han River Park and sparked controversies over sensational fake news and indiscriminate conspiracy theories. Comparisons were also drawn with the tragic death of a university student at Pyeongtaek Port due to an industrial accident that occurred prior to this case, bringing the issue of 'class-based death' to the forefront.
Furthermore, regarding the adjustment of investigative authority, the institute saw the need for future improvements. The institute stated, "Issues such as the incomplete separation of investigation and prosecution, and the prosecutor's exclusive right to request warrants remain as unfinished tasks in legal and institutional reforms. It is now time for meticulous establishment of systems to prevent human rights violations that may occur during investigative procedures, and for relentless efforts to maximize police investigative capabilities to realize the achievements of investigation structure reform."
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