[Full Text] President Lee Jaemyung’s Commemorative Address for the 80th Police Day

President Lee Jae-myung is conversing with Acting Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung of the National Police Agency at the 80th Police Day ceremony held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

On the occasion of the 80th Police Day on the 21st, President Lee Jaemyung emphasized, "In order for the police to truly transform into an organization loved and trusted by the public, continuous innovation and change are essential."

At the Police Day ceremony held at the National Police Agency that day, President Lee stated, "The sole and unique foundation for the public authority granted to the police is the trust of our people."

The following is President Lee Jaemyung’s commemorative address for the 80th Police Day:

Dear citizens, and the 140,000 members of the police family across the nation, I sincerely congratulate you on the 80th Police Day, together with our people.

This is a meaningful day to reflect on the reason for the existence of the Korean police, and the presence of police representatives from various countries around the world makes this occasion even more special.

To the police officers who protect the daily lives of the public day and night, without holidays, and to the families who support their loved ones’ dedication, I express my gratitude on behalf of the people.

I am well aware that the foundation of Korea’s remarkable achievements over the past 80 years lies firmly in the sacrifice and dedication of our police officers.

As the "people’s staff" and the "last bastion of public security," our police have always stood by the people, fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.

There are heroes who, without fear, rescued citizens during disasters such as wildfires and summer torrential rains.

There are also heroes who, even while on vacation, used sharp instincts to prevent voice phishing crimes, and who did not neglect even a single silent emergency call, saving victims at the brink of life and death.

It is thanks to the noble sacrifices of fallen and deceased officers and countless "police heroes" who gave their lives selflessly that our Korea stands strong as "the safest country in the world."

I believe that both the significant decrease in the number of five major violent crimes compared to last year and the record-high crime detection rates are precious results created by the sense of duty of each and every police officer.

Even at this very moment, I am proud of the police officers who are fighting to save the precious lives of our people.

Dear citizens and police officers, the sole and unique foundation for the public authority granted to the police is, indeed, "the trust of our people."

Therefore, we cannot be satisfied with the achievements thus far. To truly transform into a police force loved and trusted by the public, you must continue to innovate and change.

First, you must become "smart police" that proactively respond to new threats.

Crimes such as drug offenses, voice phishing, and deepfake cybercrimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, crossing borders and technological boundaries.

We must strengthen international cooperation and collaboration with relevant agencies to enhance our crime response capabilities, and apply advanced artificial intelligence technology to crime prevention and policing activities.

As the nature of crime diversifies, there are limits to detecting dangers throughout society through the efforts of the police and related agencies alone. Therefore, I ask you to focus your capabilities on building an even tighter public safety cooperation system together with citizens.

The government will also work to improve systems and provide support to this end.

Next, you must become a competent "public safety police" that truly protects the lives of the people.

Amidst the significant changes of gradually expanding the autonomous police system and separating investigation from prosecution, the public is asking serious questions.

Our police must be able to sincerely respond to the question, "Will the lives of our people truly improve as police authority increases?"

Please continue to enhance the accountability, fairness, professionalism, and speed of investigations, and establish an investigative system that the public can trust.

When there is a firm belief that heinous crimes threatening the public will be pursued to the end and criminal proceeds will always be confiscated and collected, we can block the will to re-offend.

While crimes that occur must be dealt with sternly, we must also do our utmost to prevent damage and recurrence.

In particular, in cases of dating violence or stalking crimes, it is essential to respond more actively and preemptively so that precious lives are not lost due to delayed action.

Please work to prevent secondary harm to crime victims through cooperation with related agencies and continuous monitoring.

The recent drug issue, which has emerged as a serious social problem, is no exception.

We must significantly strengthen responses across the entire distribution process, from supply to use, and establish an organic cooperation system linking investigation, treatment, and rehabilitation, in order to thoroughly prevent drugs from infiltrating the daily lives of our people.

I ask you to approach the task of protecting the lives and safety of the people with the determination that there is no such thing as "excessive response."

Lastly, you must become genuine "democratic police" who stand only on the side of the people. Uniformed citizens, "democratic police," are the very foundation of our "democratic Korea."

Our police have shining examples of "democratic police." Among them are the late Inspector Moon Hyungsoon, who protected citizens by resisting military orders during the 4·3 Incident, and the late Commissioner Lee Joonkyu and the late Chief Superintendent Ahn Byungha, who stood with Gwangju citizens against dictatorial power during the 5·18 Democratization Movement.

The noble spirit and attitude of showing by example that the police serve the people, not those in power, are the clear models that our police, as uniformed citizens, must always remember.

Whenever the police abandoned this mission and sided with those in power, democracy and constitutional order in this land were trampled, and the sovereignty of the people was violated.

Even on the night of December 3, during the insurrection, though it was only a very small part, the police leadership sided with the highest authority and participated in the praetorian coup.

The government of popular sovereignty will erase that shameful history and disgrace, and will ensure that our police can fully establish themselves as democratic police who protect the Constitution and the people, by securing police neutrality and strengthening democratic oversight.

From the abolition of the Police Bureau to enhancing the authority and status of the National Police Commission, we will not stop striving to become "democratic police who serve the people."

To all 140,000 police officers, I know very well that this important task cannot be accomplished by one-sided sacrifice and devotion alone.

The principle that "special sacrifices must be met with special rewards" applies equally to the 140,000 police families.

We must become a country that responds to your sacrifices for the nation and community with appropriate treatment, a country where dedication to the people is returned with pride and honor.

I will also take the lead in making various forms of compensation more realistic and improving working conditions so that police officers can serve the people without worry.

We will work to improve access to medical welfare so that police officers can be healthy in both body and mind, and support efforts to enhance your work capabilities.

There is no police force stronger than one loved by the people. There is no name more honorable than that of a police force supported by the people.

As democratic police trusted by the people, I ask each and every one of you to do your utmost to protect the safety and happiness of citizens, with the mindset that you are the nation and the government.

I am confident that you will demonstrate Korea’s dignity and status to the world at the upcoming APEC Summit through meticulous and thorough response.

Once again, I congratulate you on the 80th Police Day together with the people, and wish all police families good health and happiness.

The police are the cornerstone of this country.

Thank you.