Police Secondary Victimization Crime Investigation Division marks 1 year since launch... 272 cases investigated, 112 arrested

This achievement was accomplished just one year after the launch of a dedicated organization within the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters. According to the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters on the 27th, the Secondary Victimization Crime Investigation Division has investigated 272 cases of secondary victimization related to disasters such as the Sewol Ferry, Itaewon, and passenger plane tragedies since its launch, arresting 112 people.
Among them, three suspects with serious charges were detained. The Secondary Victimization Crime Investigation Division is a dedicated organization established within the National Investigation Headquarters last July to respond to acts of secondary victimization, such as criticism and mockery directed at disaster victims and bereaved families.
Over the past year, a comprehensive response system for secondary victimization crimes has been established by simultaneously conducting investigations, prevention and public awareness campaigns, and protecting victims. Along with investigations, the Secondary Victimization Crime Investigation Division requested the deletion and blocking of 6,091 online posts containing secondary victimization and held meetings to listen to the plight of bereaved families.
Through these efforts, the division also focused on spreading social awareness that acts of secondary victimization are clear crimes. Thanks to these responses, the proportion of secondary victimization comments targeting victims and bereaved families in articles related to the tragedies has also been found to have decreased.
As a result of the National Police Agency's internal analysis of comments related to the Sewol Ferry, Itaewon, and passenger plane tragedies posted on portals and other platforms from May of last year to June of this year, the average proportion of secondary victimization comments was 28% during May to July of last year, prior to the launch of the dedicated response department. 8%.
In particular, after the first suspect involved in secondary victimization was arrested in January of this year, the proportion of related comments gradually decreased from 25% to 24% and then to 23%. The downward trend continued, dropping from 19% to 17% even after additional detention investigations were conducted in April and May.
Public perception of the police's response activities also appeared to be generally positive. 2% of respondents answered that they were aware of the police's response activities against secondary victimization crimes.
9% assessed that police activities contributed to raising awareness that acts of secondary victimization are subject to criminal punishment.
It was reported that the bereaved families expressed gratitude for the response efforts made so far, while also urging the police to continue actively responding to secondary victimization and to strive to protect victims by refining relevant laws and systems to enhance the effectiveness of punishment.
Based on the achievements of the past year, the police plan to maintain a strict stance on secondary victimization crimes, while continuously pursuing customized prevention policies and victim protection activities that reflect public opinion.
Park Woo-hyun, the Chief Cyber ​​Investigator at the National Police Agency, stated, "Acts of secondary victimization are serious crimes that inflict further wounds on victims and their bereaved families," adding, "As positive changes in the online environment and public perception have been confirmed through the response over the past year, we will do our utmost to create a safe society free from secondary victimization crimes through continued active responses.
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[email protected] Jang Yu-ha Reporter