Police Reform to Reflect the “People’s Voice”... Korean National Police Agency Holds First Public Listening Session

[Financial News] The police are pursuing reform by directly listening to the voices of citizens, including crime victims and socially vulnerable groups, and reflecting them in systems and policies.
The Korean National Police Agency said it held a “Public Listening Session on Police Reform” at 2 p.m. on the 17th at the Korean National Police Agency Eoullim Madang. The event was attended by police leadership, crime victims, organizations representing socially vulnerable groups such as women, youth and people with disabilities, and families of missing persons.
The session was organized to hear citizens’ concerns and expectations regarding the police firsthand and to explore the future direction of reform. Its aim was to reflect in the reform process the problems citizens experience and the changes they want from the police.
The event was held under the theme “The Police as Seen by the People, the Police the People Want.” Participants first watched a video of preliminary interviews capturing citizens’ views. They then freely asked questions and proposed policies without being limited to predetermined topics, while police leaders responded directly on site.
The discussions also covered sexual exploitation crimes involving women and youth, school violence, missing-person cases and cases involving people with disabilities. Participants raised difficulties they had experienced in the police handling of cases and the protection of victims, as well as areas they believed required institutional improvement.
Starting with the session, the police will expand efforts to gather public opinion nationwide. Touring listening sessions will be held at provincial and metropolitan police agencies through November, and an online channel will be operated so that people unable to attend in person can also submit their views.
Opinions collected on site and online will be reviewed by the relevant departments and developed into specific reform tasks. The police plan to swiftly implement those tasks that can be carried out immediately.
In mid-December, the police will hold the “100 Days of Police Reform with the People” Report Session. The event will disclose the results of reflecting proposals from citizens and the field, along with the implementation status of major reform tasks and future plans.
In his opening remarks, Kim Jongcheol, Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, said, “Police reform must begin by responding to the expectations and concerns citizens have about the police, as well as their earnest calls for change. I believe the first step of reform is to listen first to the people, the sovereigns, about where they felt inconvenienced, what made them anxious and at what moments they found it difficult to trust the police.”
He also expressed his intention to prioritize the voices of those who face greater anxiety and hardship in the face of crime and danger. Kim pledged, “Rather than offering explanations first, we will listen, avoid any uncomfortable questions or criticism, and honestly acknowledge our shortcomings.”
He emphasized, “The answer to police reform does not lie solely within the police; it lies in the lives of the people. We will ensure that the people’s voices change systems and policies, improve practices in the field and lead to tangible changes that citizens can feel.”
[email protected] Kim Ye-ji Reporter