[Opinion] False 112 Police Emergency Number Calls Are Crimes That Undermine Community Safety and Trust

Recently, there have been repeated cases of false reports claiming that explosives were planted in airports, train stations, department stores, and schools through online posts and calls to the 112 Police Emergency Number. Such false reports shake the nation’s emergency response system, and the damage ultimately falls squarely on law‐abiding citizens.
The most serious harm caused by false reports is the creation of gaps in public safety. When patrol cars and police officers are tied up responding to a false report, there may be citizens elsewhere who genuinely need help and are waiting to be rescued. For a cardiac arrest patient, a person at high risk of suicide, or a victim of a serious crime, every single minute can mean the difference between life and death. One false call can delay someone’s final golden time.
The damage does not end there. False bomb threats targeting train stations and airports lead to delays in train services and flight operations. Hundreds or even thousands of people suffer inconvenience, have their schedules disrupted, and incur economic losses. Department stores and large commercial facilities must halt business for emergency evacuations and accept massive losses in sales. In the case of schools, classes are suspended, and students and parents are left in fear. False reports are not just a waste of police resources; they are social crimes that cause confusion and costs across all aspects of citizens’ daily lives.
The government and the police have established a clear principle that they will no longer overlook such acts. Under the Act on the Operation and Handling of 112 Emergency Calls, which took effect in July 2024, false reports can result in an administrative fine of up to 5 million won. In cases that cause serious social costs, such as requiring the deployment of large numbers of officers, the authorities will consider seeking arrest warrants. If the offense is serious or repeated, charges such as obstruction of the performance of official duties by fraudulent means under the Criminal Act may be applied, leading to possible prison sentences. The National Assembly also recognizes false reports as serious crimes and is discussing ways to toughen penalties. Social tolerance for false reporting is rapidly disappearing.
Separate from criminal punishment, the financial responsibility is also heavy. The police are filing civil claims for damages, calculating the personnel costs, fuel expenses, and equipment operating costs actually incurred in response to false reports. Recently, there have been cases in which liability for compensation in the tens of millions of won has been recognized. The costs generated by false reports are ultimately social costs that someone has to bear. A momentary prank can return as a long‐term burden on an individual and their family.
However, laws and punishment alone cannot completely solve the problem. What is needed most is a change in civic awareness. The 112 Police Emergency Number is not a channel for venting personal anger or satisfying curiosity. It is the last public safety net for protecting people’s lives and safety, and a public resource that everyone shares. We must fully recognize that a single careless false report can shatter someone else’s safety and daily life.
In non‐emergency situations, it is also important to use the system correctly. Emergency crimes and disasters should be reported to the 112 Police Emergency Number, general administrative inquiries should go to the 110 Government Call Center, and police‐related civil complaints should be directed to the 182 Police Call Center. Accurate reporting leads to faster and more efficient responses.
Eradicating false reports is not merely a matter of obeying the law. It is about safeguarding the trust of our community. One honest call can save a life, and responsible civic awareness makes our social safety net tighter and more reliable. The 112 Police Emergency Number is not a toy; it is a lifeline. To prevent a single false call from destroying the safety and trust of our community, the responsible participation of everyone is urgently needed.Lee Seung-hyeop, Director General of the Crime Prevention and Response Bureau, Korean National Police Agency