Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Strengthen Investigations on Food Safety and Animal Protection Crimes Closely Related to Daily Life This Year

Poster Announcing the Basic Investigation Directions and Major Investigation Plans by Sector for This Year of the Gyeonggi-do Special Judicial Police Unit

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit will conduct more systematic investigations this year into five major public livelihood crimes and specific crime areas that have become social issues, including environmental pollution.

Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police will first strengthen investigations into the five major public livelihood crimes: ▲Environmental Pollution (illegal disposal of waste, wastewater, fine dust, etc.) ▲Respect for Life (illegal activities in medical institutions, manufacturing and sales of pharmaceuticals and health functional foods) ▲Food Safety (illegal activities in food manufacturing and sales, hygiene of school meal suppliers, etc.) ▲Nature Protection (illegal activities in forests, development-restricted areas, illegal acts in recreational areas such as valleys and rivers) ▲Public Safety (illegal lodging businesses, unauthorized fish farms, illegal activities in bathhouse businesses, etc.).

Additionally, investigations will be expanded into animal protection (animal abuse such as slaughter, violations of business permits and registrations), economic crimes (trademark infringement, illegal lending, illegal petroleum distribution, illegal paid transportation), juvenile crimes (sale of harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco to minors), and welfare crimes (embezzlement and misuse of social welfare facility subsidies).

In particular, to eliminate blind spots in crime prevention, investigations into new areas such as illegal distribution of pharmaceuticals by unqualified persons, illegal activities by hygiene product manufacturing and disposal companies, illegal activities in pet shops and animal cafes, and illegal disposal of moving waste will be strengthened.

Along with active investigations, Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police plans to enhance prevention of similar crimes and raise crime awareness through guidance on investigation areas, pre-investigation plans, and continuous publicity of investigation results after completion.

Hong Eun-gi, head of the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Unit, emphasized, "While strengthening investigations into illegal acts that threaten the lives of residents, we plan to focus mainly on large-scale businesses rather than small business owners and micro-entrepreneurs. Illegal acts detected despite sufficient prior guidance and publicity will be strictly punished according to law and principles."

Meanwhile, last year, the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police achieved results by referring a total of 932 illegal acts in 33 job fields to the prosecution. Recently, to proactively investigate issues of public interest and operate an organization focused on current affairs and duties, the existing Public Livelihood and Fairness Special Judicial Police Units were integrated into a single Special Judicial Police Unit.