Visit to Seoul Gwanak Police Station and Gangseo Fire Station Ahead of Chuseok
President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the Seoul Gwanak Police Station and Gangseo Fire Station on the afternoon of the 15th to encourage police officers and firefighters who are dedicating themselves to public safety without rest during the Chuseok holiday, the presidential office announced.
President Yoon visited the Gwanak Police Station to encourage the police officers conducting special security activities during the Chuseok holiday. The Gwanak Police Station has the highest proportion of young and female single-person households in its jurisdiction nationwide, and the demand for public safety is high, with 112 emergency calls reaching 140,000 annually last year.
President Yoon received a briefing on the status of the Gwanak Police Station jurisdiction from Chief Choi In-gyu and held a meeting with 25 staff members from the police station and local police boxes. President Yoon said, "Crimes targeting socially vulnerable groups, such as rental fraud and voice phishing, must be thoroughly defended by everyone responsible for law enforcement," adding, "Voice phishing is becoming more organized, so I hope frontline investigative agencies remain vigilant and respond well to organized crime."
He continued, "Since my inauguration, I have always emphasized that public officials in uniform, such as military personnel, police officers, and firefighters, dedicate everything to the nation and are the foundation of the country," and promised, "We will support you through proper compensation rather than demanding unconditional loyalty from the uniformed heroes, and we will do our best to support the scientific advancement of investigative capabilities."
President Yoon also said, "I am striving to fully support public officials in uniform. I will back you up as much as you work hard, so please actively make suggestions if there are any shortcomings," to which the attendees responded with enthusiastic applause.
Yoon: "Introducing a Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance System Similar to Police Legal Insurance"
During the meeting, President Yoon asked Sergeant Shim Woo-ho, a drone expert from the Nanwoo Police Box patrol team, how drones are utilized in police investigations. Sergeant Shim explained that drones are mainly used for searching missing persons in Gwanaksan Mountain and that as technology advances, they could be used for crime prevention and suspect tracking.
Police Superintendent Kim Yong-guk, a former lawyer who contributed to the introduction of the police legal insurance system, explained that the police legal insurance is a system designed to assist police officers who face civil or criminal lawsuits while performing proactive duties. President Yoon responded, "We are planning to introduce a medical malpractice liability insurance system for medical staff, and I hope a similar police legal insurance system will encourage proactive administration."
Police Superintendent Yang Jong-min, head of the Women and Youth Division, reported that in the Gwanak area, strict law enforcement against offenders has prevented recidivism, resulting in a 20% decrease in stalking reports. President Yoon said, "To prevent not only initial offenses but also recidivism, strict punishment must be combined. Investigative agencies should actively prepare and share appropriate sentencing data to reduce similar crimes." After the meeting, President Yoon shook hands individually with the police officers and encouraged them by saying, "You are working hard."
Afterward, President Yoon moved to the 112 Integrated Security Situation Room within the police station and received an explanation about the 112 call handling system from Shin Dong-wook, head of the Crime Response Division at Gwanak Police Station.
President Yoon asked how many CCTVs are in the jurisdiction and whether CCTVs owned by local governments can also be viewed here. Chief Shin explained that through improvements to the 112 system, when a call is received, CCTVs around the caller can be viewed, and including local government CCTVs, there are about 5,400 CCTVs in the jurisdiction. Chief Shin added that through patrol car cameras, the situation room can monitor fires, group crimes, and other incidents in real time and respond accordingly.
President Yoon conveyed his encouragement and gratitude to the police officers at Gwanak Police Station via police radio, saying, "You who always create a safe society by the people's side are the true heroes of the Republic of Korea," and shouted, "I will always support the Gwanak Police Station, fighting!"
Afterward, President Yoon moved to Gangseo Fire Station, where he received a report on fire, rescue, and emergency medical situations during the Chuseok holiday at the 119 Integrated Situation Room and encouraged firefighters on special alert duty.
First Lady Kim Geon-hee Visits Residential Facility for Children with Disabilities
Additionally, on the afternoon of the same day, First Lady Kim Geon-hee visited the Daum Support Center for Children with Disabilities, a residential facility where 32 children with developmental disabilities live together, in celebration of the Chuseok holiday. First Lady Kim drew pictures with the children, helped distribute snacks, and cleaned play facilities and exercise equipment that had been difficult to clean due to staff shortages.
After the volunteer work, Center Director Kim Jandi said, "Since COVID-19, the number of volunteers has significantly decreased," and added, "I hope it becomes widely known that children need helping hands, such as playing together like today."
In response, First Lady Kim said, "Despite the difficult circumstances, seeing the bright faces of the children, I deeply thank the center director and all the staff," and added, "I hope today's visit will be an opportunity for many volunteers to continue supporting the facility."
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