South Korean police deploy drones and robots to protect female single-person households

The Korean National Police Agency has announced a comprehensive crime prevention initiative running from October 1 to December 31, specifically targeting areas with high concentrations of single-person female households. To address safety concerns in blind spots, the agency will deploy 45 drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras and searchlights. In pilot cities including Goyang, Gwangju Gwangsan, Bundang, and Jeonju, patrol robots will also be utilized in vulnerable areas.

The initiative includes strengthening responses to relationship-based crimes, such as stalking and domestic violence, by mandating a ‘Code 1’ or higher dispatch level to ensure rapid arrival of local police, detectives, and women and youth departments.

To support foreign residents, the police will conduct joint patrols with foreign volunteer crime prevention units and provide guidance on the ‘immigration notification exemption system,’ which allows undocumented victims of crime to report incidents without their status being automatically reported to immigration authorities. Additionally, the agency plans to expand safety infrastructure, including installing CCTV and lighting in 1,230 ‘women-safe paths’ next year.