[2023 National Audit] Increasing 'Random Crimes'... Police Stations Growing More Outdated

Recently, despite the increasing public demand for safety due to a series of violent crimes such as 'random stabbing attacks,' it has been revealed that three out of five local police stations and substations responsible for regional safety are housed in buildings over 20 years old, highlighting the urgent need for new construction and expansion.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to Yoo Ui-dong, a member of the People Power Party, on the 10th, as of 2023, about 60% of the local police stations and substations responsible for regional safety are located in buildings over 20 years old.

According to the 'Classification of Police Stations and Substations Nationwide by Year of Construction' submitted by the National Police Agency, police stations (474 locations) and substations (348 locations) built less than 20 years ago total 822 locations, accounting for 40.23% of the total.

However, police stations (532 locations) and substations (191 locations) built between 20 and 30 years ago total 723 locations, accounting for 35.39%, and those built over 30 years ago?police stations (411 locations) and substations (87 locations)?also number 498 locations (24.38%). This means that three out of five police stations and substations are housed in old buildings over 20 years old.

Representative Yoo stated, "Aging police stations and substations have limited space, making it practically impossible to conduct separate investigations for suspects and victims, as well as separate investigations by gender, which causes operational problems." He added, "The police are aware of this and are continuously striving to secure budgets to improve aging police stations and precincts, but the reflected budget ratio averages less than 35%."

According to Representative Yoo, only 106 police stations and substations nationwide have undergone or are undergoing new construction or expansion, which accounts for just 14.66% of buildings over 20 years old. Even when limited to buildings over 30 years old, the figure is only 21.29%. He emphasized, "Issues arising at the forefront of public safety are directly linked to the safety of the people," and stated, "To ensure the safety of the public, review criteria should be adjusted so that the reconstruction of aging police stations and substations can proceed promptly."