President Lee Jaemyung's Address on the 80th Police Day
Proposes ▲Smart Police ▲Competent "Public Safety Police Force" ▲True "Democratic Police"
Calls for Stronger Response to Dating Violence, Stalking Crimes, and Drug Offenses
Emphasizes: "Some
President Lee Jaemyung emphasized that in order for the police to truly transform into a force trusted by the public on the occasion of the 80th Police Day, continuous innovation is essential. He stressed that the police must be reborn as a smart and competent “public safety police.” Referring to the “December 3 Martial Law” incident last year, he pointed out that some members of the police leadership sided with the highest authority and participated in a loyalist coup, and pledged to ensure the neutrality of the police and strengthen democratic oversight so that the police can fully establish themselves as a “democratic police.”
On the 21st, President Lee attended the 80th Police Day commemorative ceremony held at the National Police Agency headquarters under the theme “80 Years of the Police! Public Safety! A New Beginning!” He stated, “The sole and unique foundation for the public authority granted to the police is the trust of our people,” and made this appeal. The ceremony was attended by the families of this year’s police heroes, families of fallen officers, public safety cooperation organizations, as well as frontline officers from various departments and new trainees. In addition, heads of 30 overseas law enforcement agencies (27 countries and 3 international organizations) visiting Korea for the International Chiefs of Police Conference, including ambassadors to Korea and foreign police officials, were also present.
President Lee then outlined the future direction for the police, highlighting the need to become a ▲smart police force, ▲competent “public safety police,” and ▲genuine “democratic police.” First, he mentioned the rise in crimes such as drug offenses, voice phishing, and deepfake cybercrimes, stating, “The nature of crime is becoming more sophisticated, transcending national borders and technological boundaries.” He added, “We must enhance crime response capabilities by strengthening international cooperation and collaboration among relevant agencies, and integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology into crime prevention and public safety activities.”
President Lee continued, “As crime becomes more diverse, there are limits to what the police and related agencies can do alone to detect risks throughout society. Therefore, please focus your efforts on building a more comprehensive public safety cooperation system together with citizens.” He also promised, “The government will join forces to improve systems and provide support measures for this purpose.”
“We must be reborn as a competent ‘public safety police’... Strengthening response to dating violence, stalking crimes, and drug offenses”
He also called for the police to be reborn as a competent “public safety police.” President Lee referred to the gradual expansion of the autonomous police system and the separation of investigation and prosecution, stating, “The police must be able to seriously answer the question, ‘If police authority increases, will the lives of our people truly improve?’” He added, “Please continue to enhance the accountability, fairness, expertise, and promptness of investigations, and establish an investigative system that the public can trust.”
He also stressed the need to strictly punish crimes that occur and to make every effort to prevent harm and recurrence. In particular, regarding dating violence and stalking crimes, he called for preemptive responses to prevent the loss of precious lives due to delayed action, and requested that the response to drug issues be strengthened across the board.
President Lee said, “Please work to prevent secondary offenses against crime victims through cooperation with relevant agencies and continuous monitoring,” and emphasized, “We must strengthen our response to the entire drug distribution process, from supply to administration, and establish an organic cooperation system that links investigation, treatment, and rehabilitation, so that we can decisively prevent drugs from infiltrating the daily lives of our people.”
“December 3 Martial Law” “Some leadership participated in loyalist coup”... “Police must stand only on the side of the people as ‘democratic police’”
He also urged the police to be reborn as a true “democratic police” that stands solely on the side of the people. President Lee cited the late Inspector Moon Hyungsoon, who protected citizens by resisting military orders during the April 3 Incident; the late Superintendent General Lee Jungyu and the late Chief Superintendent General Ahn Byungha, who stood with the citizens of Gwangju against dictatorship during the May 18 Democratization Movement, as exemplary cases of “democratic police.” He pointed out, “Even on the night of the December 3 rebellion, although it was only a small number, some members of the police leadership sided with the highest authority and participated in a loyalist coup.”
He pledged to ensure the neutrality of the police and strengthen democratic oversight. President Lee stated, “The government, founded on the sovereignty of the people, will erase the shameful and dishonorable history and ensure that the police can fully establish themselves as democratic police that protect the Constitution and the people.” He added, “From the abolition of the Police Bureau to strengthening the authority and status of the National Police Commission, we will not stop striving for a ‘democratic police’ that serves the people.”
He also promised to take the lead in realizing various forms of compensation for police officers and improving working conditions. President Lee said, “The principle that ‘special sacrifices deserve special rewards’ is no exception for the 140,000 police families,” and pledged, “We will work to improve access to medical welfare so that police officers can be healthy in both body and mind, and provide support to enhance their work capabilities.”
Meanwhile, this year’s police heroes include the late Inspector Jeon Changsin, who led the independence movement in Hamhung during the March 1 Movement, later joined the police, and ran a shelter for the vulnerable as the chief of the Incheon Women’s Police Station; and the late Inspector Lee Kitae, who died in the line of duty in 2015 while rescuing a teenager with an intellectual disability and was struck by an oncoming train. President Lee presented an award to Sergeant Lee Jinwoong of the Daejeon Seobu Police Station, who prevented a crime against the public by arresting a voice phishing criminal while on leave, among other commendations for meritorious service.
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