Discussion on Reintroducing 'Police Auxiliary' to Tackle Heinous Crimes
Effectiveness Controversy Leads to De Facto Reversal in Just One Day
Criticism of 'Inconsistent Administration' Also Raised
The government proposed "actively considering the reintroduction of mandatory police (Uigyeong)" as a countermeasure against heinous crimes, but after controversy over its effectiveness arose, it changed its stance within a day to "consider if necessary." While this is being evaluated as a de facto cancellation, the opposition criticized it as "flip-flopping administration."
Earlier, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated in the "Prime Minister's Statement on Preventing Recurrence of Abnormal Motive Crimes" announced at the government Seoul office on the morning of the 23rd, "We will actively consider the reintroduction of the mandatory police system (Uigyeong) to significantly strengthen crime prevention capabilities."
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is leaving the press conference room after delivering a statement to prevent the recurrence of abnormal motive crimes on the morning of the 23rd at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
On the same day, Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun also presented specific plans regarding the reintroduction of Uigyeong. Commissioner Yoon said, "We will discuss with the Ministry of National Defense and others about sequentially recruiting and operating about 7,500 to 8,000 personnel, including 3,500 experienced members for the rapid response team and 4,000 stationed at major metropolitan hubs," adding, "It will take about 7 to 8 months."
However, the Prime Minister's Office shifted its position within a day to "consider reintroduction if necessary." On the 24th, the Prime Minister's Office explained, "The consideration of reintroducing mandatory police mentioned by Prime Minister Han in yesterday's statement means that if additional reinforcement is needed to secure the lives and safety of the people despite these measures, the reintroduction of the abolished system will also be considered."
The reversal of the stance appears to be in response to criticism over its effectiveness. It has been pointed out that allocating manpower resources to Uigyeong amid population decline could weaken national defense, and since the legal duty of Uigyeong is to assist in maintaining public order, it is difficult to consider it a countermeasure against heinous crimes. Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized on Facebook on the 23rd, stating that population decline was the main reason for abolishing Uigyeong, saying, "If the police need more personnel, they should formally recruit more police officers to prevent crime, so how does reintroducing mandatory police make sense?" and added, "Think carefully, look at reality, and come up with measures."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
As evaluations emerged that it was effectively canceled, criticism of flip-flopping administration poured in. On the 25th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting, "Public anxiety over heinous crimes has reached its peak, yet despite this seriousness, the government only resorts to flip-flopping patchwork measures instead of fundamental and effective solutions, which is truly pathetic," and "The very idea of reviving a system that was gradually abolished over the past five years due to manpower shortages within three months proves the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's hasty and incompetent governance," he raised his voice.
Lee added, "We remember how the Yoon Seok-yeol government’s impulsive and half-baked policies, such as mandatory elementary school enrollment at age five, 69-hour workweeks, and removal of killer questions from the college entrance exam, have only increased confusion rather than solving problems," and pointed out, "The army plans to disband two corps and two divisions in three years due to population decline; how do they expect to resolve military manpower under these circumstances?"
Lee further stated, "What is even more incomprehensible is entrusting crime, terrorism, and disaster response to Uigyeong, who are not professional police officers. We must remember the ongoing case of Corporal Chae, who lost his life after being deployed to civil duties without proper measures," and said, "The government must stop flip-flopping policies that treat youth as tools with an 'either way' approach, changing decisions from morning to evening."
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