National Police Agency Launches Committee to Protect Socially Vulnerable Groups... "Promoting Public-Private Collaboration"

On the 4th, the National Police Agency held the inauguration ceremony of the 'Socially Vulnerable Protection Promotion Committee' and appointed 24 civilian members.

Police Agency building. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Jo Joo-eun, the National Police Agency's Director of Women's Safety and School Violence Countermeasures, emphasized, "The policies promoted by the police and the efforts of civic groups must come together to establish proactive prevention strategies in response to future changes in the security environment." Han Chang-hoon, Director of the National Police Agency's Public Safety and Traffic Bureau, stated, "To closely respond to new types of crimes such as stalking and dating violence, youth drug abuse and gambling, and deepfake sex crimes, all members of our society must unite their efforts."

The Socially Vulnerable Protection Promotion Committee was reorganized by integrating the Victim Protection Promotion Committee and the Women and Youth Safety Policy Advisory Group, which were previously operated by the National Police Agency, into a single committee. It is composed of eight internal members, including the Deputy Commissioner of the National Police Agency as the chairperson, the Director of the Public Safety and Traffic Bureau, the Director of Investigation Planning and Coordination, the Director of the Criminal Affairs Bureau, the Director of Women's Safety and School Violence Countermeasures, the Auditor, and the Cyber Investigation Review Officer, as well as 24 civilian members who are experts from various fields such as civic groups, academia, and the legal profession. The committee operates through three subcommittees: violence against women, youth protection, and victim protection. It holds two regular meetings annually and occasional meetings to collect opinions and provide advice on police policies for protecting socially vulnerable groups. The term of office for members is two years.

Jo Ji-ho, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, said, "The public's demand and expectations for safety are rising day by day, and the role and responsibility of the police are also increasing. To become a truly strong security nation that meets the public's demands, all citizens, including socially vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities, must be able to enjoy a safe daily life."