South Korean regional police agencies enhance oversight and investigation protocols

Regional police agencies in South Korea are implementing new measures to enhance public safety and strengthen oversight following recent concerns regarding investigative failures.

In Jeju, the Jeju Police Agency has announced a comprehensive public safety plan to address rising anxiety over missing persons cases. The agency is doubling the size of its missing persons investigation teams from approximately 4–5 members to 9 members per station. To prevent improper case closures, the agency is enforcing a strict ‘face-to-face termination principle,’ requiring investigators to physically confirm a person's status, even if it requires coordination with other agencies or regions. The plan also includes increased patrols in vulnerable areas and enhanced protection for victims of relationship-based crimes.

In Daegu, the newly appointed head of the Daegu Police Agency, Park Jun-seong, has pledged to implement customized policing focused on citizen perspectives. Addressing the systemic issues highlighted by recent investigative controversies, Park emphasized a ‘multi-layered management’ system to ensure that cases are not left solely to individual officers but are monitored by team leaders, department heads, and chiefs. His priorities include addressing crimes targeting the elderly, combating AI-driven and cybercrimes, and strengthening responses to stalking and domestic violence.