Silent after 112 call... When officers arrived, lip movements said "Save me"

Police Issue Code 1 Order Due to Emergency
Suspect Arrested at Scene on Charges of Special Injury

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A police officer working at the 112 Comprehensive Security Situation Room appropriately responded to a silent emergency call with no words and apprehended a suspect of aggravated assault.

At around 8:07 a.m. on the 5th, a call came into the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency's 112 Comprehensive Security Situation Room. "This is emergency call 112." "...." Lieutenant Kim Hoseong, who answered the call, tried to assess the caller's situation through the 'Visible 112' system after the caller said nothing.

"If you need police assistance, please press any number button twice." The 'Visible 112' system, implemented since last year, allows the police to send an internet address (URL) to the caller’s mobile phone when the caller is in a situation where speaking is difficult. The caller can then use their phone camera to show the scene. However, the caller did not press any number buttons and gave no response.

Lieutenant Kim, without hanging up, listened carefully to the receiver and faintly heard a conversation that sounded like a man and woman arguing. Judging that the caller was in an emergency, Lieutenant Kim activated the Location-Based Service (LBS) and issued a 'Code 1' order to the local police station. Code 1 is issued when there is an imminent or ongoing threat to life or physical safety.

Police officers from the precinct who received the order headed to an officetel in Incheon and contacted the caller, a woman in her 20s named A. However, A tearfully said, "I pressed the wrong button," and wanted to cancel the report. The police judged that A was trying to cancel the report under coercion from someone present and persuaded her by saying, "We need to check directly to ensure your safety," confirmed the exact address, and arrived at the scene within three minutes.

When the police rang the doorbell, a man in his 20s named B opened the door. He acted nonchalantly, claiming nothing was wrong, but the police saw A inside. A, who had been crying inside, came toward the entrance and silently mouthed "Help me" without making a sound so that B would not notice.

The police took A outside, confirmed the damage she suffered from B, and arrested B on suspicion of aggravated assault. B is accused of going to the residence of his ex-girlfriend A, engaging in an argument, hitting her face, and stabbing her once with a weapon, causing injury. The police plan to apply for an arrest warrant for B, increase patrols around A’s residence, and provide A with medical expenses and psychological counseling.

A police official said, "In cases of 'no-response reports' like this incident, it is important not to miss even the smallest clues," adding, "If judged to be an emergency, we will respond quickly with automatic location tracking and emergency code issuance."