Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok visited the Changwon Maritime Police Station in Gyeongnam on the 23rd to discuss cooperation and joint measures in response to maritime crimes such as stowaway and drug smuggling.
On the day, Prosecutor General Lee, along with Park Hyun-jun, Head of the Scientific Investigation Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and Kim Ji-wan, Chief Prosecutor of the Masan Branch of the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office, visited the Changwon Maritime Police Station to check the status of local operations.
He also listened to the difficulties faced by the staff in the field and offered encouragement.
Kim Young-chul, Chief of Changwon Coast Guard in Gyeongnam (center), is explaining the status of operations in the integrated control room inside the building to Lee Won-seok, Prosecutor General (right). [Photo by Changwon Coast Guard]
He stated, "When apprehending the main culprit of the Youngpoong Paper stock manipulation case who tried to escape overseas via the sea near Jeju in January, the cooperation between the maritime police and the prosecution shone," emphasizing the importance of cooperation and joint efforts between the prosecution and maritime police.
He continued, "Let us join forces with the maritime police to prevent international maritime crimes such as stowaway and drug smuggling and distribution through the sea," and requested, "Please continue to cooperate to ensure smooth collaboration between the maritime police and the prosecution."
Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok and other prosecution office officials, along with Kim Young-chul, Chief of Changwon Coast Guard, and other Changwon Coast Guard officials, are discussing cooperation measures for responding to maritime crimes. [Photo by Changwon Coast Guard]
According to Changwon Maritime Police, this is the first time a sitting Prosecutor General has visited a frontline maritime police station.
On the day, Kim Young-cheol, Chief of Changwon Maritime Police Station, said, "We will always closely cooperate with the prosecution to protect the safety and lives of the people and do our best to respond to various crimes occurring at sea."
Prosecutor General Lee said, "As various crimes are committed through the sea, the help of the maritime police is greatly needed," adding, "We will strive to establish a stronger cooperation system for the people."
The maritime police, in response to the strengthening of nationwide drug investigations and crackdowns by the Drug Countermeasures Council involving the Ministry of Justice, prosecution, maritime police, and police, have been conducting intensive crackdowns on drug-related crimes from the 1st of this month until the end of November.
Changwon Maritime Police plans to focus on preemptive blocking of drug smuggling by intensively cracking down on drug-related crimes such as cultivation of marijuana and opium poppy, drug distribution, sales, smuggling, and use within their jurisdiction.
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