The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has begun a blanket review of about 8,500 cases in the capital to identify gaps in protection for victims of relationship violence. Police are also stepping up special safety operations at major crowded venues in Seoul as public anxiety grows following a knife attack by Choi Chang-rak at a commercial complex in Incheon.
Ko Beom-seok, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing on the morning of Oct. 19 that police would conduct a blanket review of roughly 8,500 relationship violence cases in Seoul through the end of this month. The review, carried out under the responsibility of each police station chief, focuses on whether victim protection measures were properly implemented in past relationship violence cases. Police plan to examine closely whether officers in charge omitted any required steps during the protection process.
Asked about the effectiveness of repeated blanket reviews, Ko said, "We are carefully checking whether the officers in charge left anything out after protection measures were taken."
Police are also conducting special safety operations at crowded facilities in response to a series of knife attacks. The special safety period runs through Nov. 1, during which police will boost their visible presence using riot squads, metropolitan patrol units and detectives.
In particular, riot squads not mobilized for rallies and other events have had their training suspended and have been directed to support frontline police stations in day-to-day public safety work. The aim is to have officers patrol in places where the public can see them, strengthening crime prevention.
Ahead of Halloween at the end of this month, police are also tightening safety management in areas expected to draw large crowds, such as Itaewon and Hongdae. The Seoul agency plans to hold its own strategy meetings and conduct advance safety inspections with district police stations and local governments.
Separately, the Seoul agency said it recently completed its first round of questioning of Chung Won-oh, the former head of the Seongdong District Office, who faces allegations including violation of the Public Official Election Act. The questioning of Chung was the first since the parliamentary audit, according to police. Police plan to review whether the allegations hold by weighing Chung's statements together with the results of earlier interviews with witnesses.