Prime minister says conscripted police system may be revived to combat heinous crimes

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Prime minister says conscripted police system may be revived to combat heinous crimes

Published: 23 Aug. 2023, 11:50 Updated: 23 Aug. 2023, 13:41

SARAH KIM
kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks at the government complex in central Seoul on Wednesday on plans to tackle heinous crimes that target random people. [YONHAP]

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Wednesday that the conscripted police system may be reintroduced as a part of measures to better prevent heinous crimes that target random people.

"We will put public order as the top priority of police and reorganize police organization to reinforce such capabilities," Han said in a press conference at the Seoul government complex in central Seoul, announcing plans to prevent the recurrence of "abnormal motive crimes."

Such measures come after a series of recent violent crimes against random people, including stabbing rampages near Sillim Station in Seoul and Seohyeon Station in Bundang, Gyeonggi, resulting in two deaths and 16 injured, all strangers to the suspects. Last week, a man physically and sexually assaulted a woman on a hike who later died.

Han said the government will consider reviving an auxiliary police system allowing conscripts to serve in police forces instead of military service to assist with efforts to prevent crimes against random people and preserve public safety.

The conscripted police system, introduced in December 1982, has been phased out since 2017 and was completely abolished in April.

Han said the government will also strengthen police patrols, increase CCTVs and install more security lights and emergency alarms.

He added that efforts will also be made to improve the public mental health care system.

Han said the government plans to establish a "one-stop solution center" to provide comprehensive support for victims of random crimes and their families, including legal, financial, psychological and welfare assistance.

The recent back-to-back stabbings and a series of copycat murder threats being shared online and on social media have been stoking public fear. In turn, police have intensified street patrols and efforts to trace the posters of such threats in recent weeks.

"We will seek punishment and various judicial measures to control violent crimes," Han said.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]