(Unofficial Translation)

Fellow Koreans, our police officers,

Today, 166 young police officers are taking their first step. From this moment on, you will be entrusted with the glorious mission of protecting people’s lives, safety and freedom. I am truly proud of our young police officers who have completed demanding drills and training courses. My congratulations and appreciation also go to your relatives, who have provided support for your noble passion to become a servant for the people. I commend Korean National Police University President Lee Cheol-goo and the faculty for their hard work.

Newly commissioned young police officers, our 140,000-strong police force,

The Republic of Korea’s police are being reborn as officers who defend democracy, human rights and people’s livelihoods. They are protecting the public safety and everyday lives ever more steadfastly. The National Office of Investigation launched in January last year has helped strengthen police officers’ investigative abilities and raise their sense of responsibility. The newly established Women and Juvenile Affairs Investigation Team and Child Abuse Special Investigation Team have proactively responded to violent crimes against the socially vulnerable. Cases involving sexual-exploitation chat rooms on a messaging app and other digital sex offenses as well as illegal acts infringing on low-income earners and real estate speculation have been rigorously investigated through special crackdowns. Moreover, support has been rendered to rapidly delete and block illegally filmed footage, thereby protecting the victims concerned. The incidence of the five major crimes has fallen from about 500,000 in 2017 to some 420,000 in 2021. The public’s sense of security is now at an all-time high.

The autonomous local police system, which was fully implemented last July, is providing public security services tailored to local residents’ needs. Closer cooperation between the public security administration and the autonomous local authorities will ensure that enhanced security services are available for all.

Intensive efforts by the police regarding traffic safety contributed to a 32 percent drop in the number of traffic fatalities last year, compared with the 2016 figure, the lowest ever since such statistics began to be compiled. Notably, the number of child traffic deaths declined as much as 66 percent.

In addition, our police officers have been at the forefront of efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. They have expanded their contact-free services and safeguarded every part of the epidemic prevention and control network by providing support for ferrying returning expatriates to their quarantine facilities, offering the Police Human Resources Development Institute as makeshift accommodations for them, joining in blood drives, transporting vaccines and assisting epidemiological investigations.

One of the changes in policing that the public feels most keenly is how they do everything possible to protect people’s rights and interests and help victims recover from the harm they have suffered. A human rights protection system now spans all public security administrative processes, from receiving new cases and conducting internal probes to launching the investigations, applying for arrest warrants, closing cases and performing supplementary investigations when necessary. “Dialogue police officers” deployed at protests have opened a new horizon in communication with citizens involved in rallies and demonstrations. The number of double investigations of a case by the police and the prosecution service, which cause inconvenience to the public, has dwindled. Annually, close to 460,000 people have been able to be promptly freed from the stigma of being named criminal suspects.

The basic value of the police is human rights. “Human rights infringement” is no longer a term associated with police investigations. The introspection and practice of police officers for the sake of human rights have brought changes to policing. In a survey, eight out of every 10 respondents who experienced public security services answered that their views of the police had changed for the better. This attests to the fact that citizens’ satisfaction with the police has significantly increased. Today, you swore your oath to become police officers who protect human rights. I would like to extend my encouragement to the efforts made by the police who have remained fully committed to reform over the past five years. I look forward to seeing our young police officers become key players in the effort to safeguard human rights.

Young police officers,

The police represent the nation’s face that people meet first when they need assistance from their government. The people have faith that the police will protect them anytime, anywhere. You should never forget that keeping their belief intact is the reason for your existence. With constant drills and training, you must have the qualifications and capabilities to confidently take on any situation.

In particular, you should be the best in terms of frontline response capabilities. Recently, the Act on the Performance of Duties by Police Officers has been revised, making it possible to carry out duties more proactively. You will always have to be ready so that the people can maintain their unwavering trust in you.

Extraordinary efforts should be made to protect the weak in our society. Threats against women and children are becoming increasingly serious, and heartless crimes against the elderly and those with disabilities persist. A close-knit response system must be in place for the sake of preemptive prevention, active investigation and victim protection.

Negligence must not be tolerated in responding to new crimes. In addition to the crime prevention efforts and investigations supported by artificial intelligence, drones and big data, the police must establish itself as an organization ushering in the future through a reorganization as well as research and training for forward-looking, science-based public security.

I urge you to strengthen your national security-related investigation capabilities as well. The National Intelligence Service will no longer handle anti-espionage cases from 2024, and in preparation for the change, the police must make every effort to work closely with the NIS. This will mean expanding the relevant organization within the police and the scope of its duties, including combatting terrorism, espionage and industrial technology theft.

Gone is the era when we can unilaterally demand police officers’ sacrifice and dedication. The Government will continue making efforts to improve the way police officers are honored and treated to be commensurate with their weighty responsibilities. Since its inauguration, my Administration has strived to expand the infrastructure directly linked to public security capabilities. We have recruited additional police officers without any disruption and devised laws and systems to support policing. The promotion system and working conditions have been improved, and we have strengthened the health management system and the honoring of police officers killed or injured in the line of duty. There still are numerous tasks left for improving the way they are treated, but the resultant benefits will eventually go to the people. The Government will continue its efforts to support the police’s ongoing reform.

Proud young police officers,

Even if you have differing life trajectories, today, you are all Republic of Korea police officers, standing tall in the same uniform. Now you will be rushing to the scene. Protecting public safety will not always be easy.

I hope you remember the fact that people’s trust and expectations are with you whenever the going gets tough. I also call on you to never forget the honor and pride of being “a police officer who never allows injustice.”

When you can look at the people from their own point of view and your hearts are connected to them, you will feel the glory and sense of satisfaction that no one else can. 

May the path you take be filled with the public’s trust.

Thank you.