Acting KNPA Commissioner General Jaesung Yoo: "No compromise on public safety... Lunar New Year security measures will be fully enforced"

Acting Commissioner General Jaesung Yoo stated that, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, the police will do everything possible to ensure that people can spend the break in peace and safety.
During the "nationwide police leadership video conference" held at the Korean National Police Agency in Seodaemun District in Seoul on the morning of the 12th, Yoo said, "There can be no concession or compromise on public safety for any reason."
He noted, "During the holiday period, there is a tendency for relationship-based crimes to increase, and we are also seeing a series of major traffic accidents, serious violent crimes, and wildfires. On top of that, there is concern that scam crimes exploiting the nature of the holiday may rise." He continued, "It is time for us to faithfully implement the special security measures for the Lunar New Year so that the public can spend the holiday in peace, and to be even more devoted to the core duties of the police."
Yoo also referred to a recent case in which an officer dispatched to a death scene posted inappropriate content on his own social networking service (SNS), which sparked controversy, and he underscored the need for policing based on human rights.
He said, "It is inexcusable and indefensible for any reason that the police, who are supposed to protect the human rights of the people, have violated the rights of a victim." He added, "All exercises of police authority must be carried out on the basis of the Constitution and human rights, and I ask for special attention so that the 'Code of Human Rights Conduct for Police Officers' can take root as the standard for decisions and behavior in the field."
He also announced that the police will conduct strict investigations into the spread of false information related to the local elections scheduled for June.
Yoo stated, "We must fulfill our role and responsibility so that these local elections can be held more fairly than ever, in a safe and orderly atmosphere." He went on, "I ask you to investigate thoroughly from the party nomination stage, and to be especially careful so that there is no controversy over inadequate responses or biased investigations."
He continued, "In particular, I ask you to respond even more sternly to false information that can cloud and distort the public's judgment." He added, "Every member must firmly maintain political neutrality, and we need to exercise even greater care so that unnecessary controversy does not arise."
Yoo also highlighted the need for innovation in work practices, invoking the four-character idiom that means "drops of dew gather to form the sea."
He said, "It is important to identify even small things that we can put into practice right now and improve them quickly," adding, "We will spare no appropriate support that matches effort and results, including special incentives and bonuses for outstanding cases."
He further pledged to foster a rational, work-centered organizational culture. "We must use this opportunity to eradicate, once and for all, improper and deep-rooted bad practices within the organization, such as abuse of power," he said. "We should prioritize work over protocol and enable members to focus on their duties through decision-making based on rationality rather than authority."
Yoo concluded, "There are many expectations and concerns directed at the police, and as the saying goes, 'the more difficult it is, the more we must return to basics,' this is the time when we must focus on our work with the people as our only standard." He appealed, "Please do your utmost in your respective positions."
welcome@fnnews.com Jang Yoo-ha Reporter