Police to Establish Task Force for 'Random Crimes' Response

The term is also 'Isangdonggi Crime'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The police have renamed so-called 'random crimes' as 'abnormal motive crimes' and are activating an organization responsible for devising countermeasures.

According to the police on the 19th, the National Police Agency is forming a task force (TF) to conduct in-depth analysis of crimes targeting women and the elderly, who are the main victims of 'random crimes,' and to respond to crimes committed by individuals with mental illnesses. The TF, led by the Forensic Science Management Officer, will include related functions such as the Violent Crime Investigation Division, Women and Youth Investigation Division, and Public Order Division. They plan to share and review measures including procedures for handling suspects with mental illness involved in violent crimes, strengthening protection systems for socially vulnerable groups such as children and women, and collaboration with local governments to respond to high-risk individuals with mental illnesses.

The police will discuss with the Ministry of Health and Welfare the selection and management system for high-risk groups of abnormal motive crimes. They also plan to seek cooperation from the prosecution and Ministry of Justice to link information from the time of referral related to abnormal motive crimes through to the correctional stage, so that information such as the risk of recidivism can be notified to the police. Additionally, a new checkbox for 'abnormal motive crime' will be created in the Criminal Justice Information System (KICS). When the investigating officer requests a review, a crime analyst will comprehensively analyze the suspect’s history of mental illness and the relationship between the offender and victim to definitively classify the crime as an abnormal motive crime. The police plan to convene the TF in the first quarter of this year to discuss activity plans and begin analyzing and responding to abnormal motive crimes from the second quarter onward.

An efficient management system will also be introduced for high-risk individuals with mental illnesses, suicide attempters, and intoxicated persons. Risk of self-harm and harm to others will be assessed by category, with field investigation forms and management grade criteria established. Collaboration with the National Assembly and Ministry of Health and Welfare will be pursued to amend the Mental Health Welfare Act and enact a special law for intoxicated persons. The Mental Health Welfare Act revision is being considered to allow the police to share sensitive information for post-support of high-risk individuals and to abolish the requirement for police consent during emergency hospitalization. Currently proposed bills related to intoxicated persons in the National Assembly include provisions to strengthen punishment for crimes committed by intoxicated persons while simultaneously establishing a protection system for them.