Police Launch School Violence Prevention Campaign for New Semester

[Financial News] To eradicate school violence at the beginning of the semester, the police will launch an intensive prevention campaign led by School Police Officers (SPOs).
The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) announced on the 2nd that it will run a "New Semester School Violence Prevention Intensive Activity Period" for two months, from the 3rd to April 30.
The start of a semester is generally seen as a time when the risk of school violence is high. Taking into account the recent upward trend in school violence, KNPA plans to work closely with education authorities and carry out intensive prevention activities from the beginning of the term, centered on SPOs.
During the focused activity period, SPOs will first visit their assigned schools to establish a close communication network with the teachers in charge of school violence. They will actively promote SPOs and the 117 School Violence Report Center to parents through school newsletters and other channels, and will conduct joint campaigns with education offices, schools, and other related organizations at schools considered at high risk for repeated incidents.
In addition, to respond to the younger age of offenders and the growing use of social networking services (SNS) in school violence cases, the police will provide tailored programs for elementary and middle school students, including education on preventing verbal abuse, cyberbullying, and digital sex crimes. They will also expand hands-on training opportunities using virtual reality educational content at the Youth Police Academy.
Recognizing that school violence is increasingly merging with the online space and becoming linked to new types of crime such as cyber gambling, drugs, and fake videos, the police will also step up intelligence gathering. In particular, they plan to use the "New Crime Type Alert" system to inform the public nationwide about the risks of emerging crimes and how to prevent them.
Depending on the seriousness of each case, the police will respond strictly and swiftly to major offenses such as organized violence circles and sexual violence, while guiding minor cases toward "restorative policing" focused on relationship repair and preventing recurrence. This approach is intended to support conflict management that prioritizes victim recovery.
SPOs will also closely monitor both victims and perpetrators of school violence through one-on-one interviews and other intensive management, carefully checking for any additional crimes or harm. They will help protect victims from repeat victimization through safety measures for crime victims, while connecting perpetrators to guidance programs and other services to prevent reoffending or retaliation.
Jaesung Yoo, Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, said, "Because the atmosphere formed at the very start of the semester is crucial in addressing school violence, we will respond systematically from prevention to follow-up management through close cooperation with schools," adding, "We will work meticulously to create a safe environment free from school violence so that students and parents can truly feel secure."
welcome@fnnews.com Reporter Jang Yoo-ha Reporter