[Reader Contribution] Observing Basic Order Is Everyone's Responsibility

Small Order, Great Safety
The Importance of Practicing Basic Order in Everyday Life

Gwak Yejin, Police Officer, Geumho Precinct, Western Gwangju Police Station.

We live alongside countless people in our daily lives. For this reason, there are minimum promises we must keep by considering and respecting one another. This is what we call "basic order." Basic order is not just a set of simple rules; it is a collective agreement to ensure that everyone can live safely and peacefully.

However, it is hard to ignore the growing sense that these promises are becoming increasingly trivialized in our society today. Repeated minor violations such as jaywalking, illegal parking, and littering are causing inconvenience and frustration among citizens.

As the Broken Windows Theory suggests, neglecting minor disorder can lead to more serious crimes or social chaos, making this an issue that cannot be taken lightly.

This theory was actually proven successful in New York City. In the early 1990s, New York was notorious for its high crime rate, but then-Mayor Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bratton rigorously cracked down on minor offenses such as fare evasion, graffiti, and public urination, based on the Broken Windows Theory. Although there was some resistance at the beginning, the overall order in the city was restored, and the rate of serious crimes dropped noticeably. The improvement in public safety in New York is now regarded as a prime example demonstrating that "small order creates great safety" to the world.

At a recent public safety inspection meeting, the President also emphasized, "Since minor disorder can lead to major accidents, establishing basic order is a fundamental duty of the state and a task that all citizens must practice together." He especially reiterated the importance of basic order, urging that "we must not neglect everyday disorder such as traffic violations, littering, and illegal parking, but actively work to improve them."

With the importance of basic order being highlighted, the police plan to implement a "Basic Order Compliance Plan" focused on the three major areas (traffic, daily life, and the people's economy) starting in the second half of this year. July and August will be operated as a period for guidance and public awareness, and from September, intensive crackdowns in each area will be fully launched. This is a time when all of us need to pay close attention.

Of course, social order cannot be established by the efforts of the police and local governments alone. Basic order can only be maintained when it is grounded in the voluntary participation and change in awareness of each citizen, even before enforcement. No matter how good a policy may be, it is difficult to expect real change unless the people join in.

Even by simply refraining from jaywalking or not carelessly throwing trash on the street, our society can become a little better. Consideration for others and attention to the community are not grand gestures. A safe and healthy society is ultimately something we create ourselves. I hope this opportunity will remind us all of the importance of basic order and inspire us to take the lead in putting it into practice.