SEOUL, Dec. 13 — Police officers will be given greater authority during disasters reported to the police’s 112 emergency call centre, the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) said Wednesday, as the legal basis for the hotline service has been established by parliamentary legislation.
According to the KNPA, the National Assembly passed the law on the operation of the 112 emergency service in a plenary session last Friday, providing the legal basis for the service for the first time since it was established in 1957.
In South Korea, people can call the police for help by dialing 112 or the fire brigade by dialing 119. For the past 66 years, the 112 service has been operated under an internal KNPA rule, which has limited the ability of officers to systematically respond to and handle emergencies and protect victims.
For example, under the new law, which will come into force in June next year, police officers dispatched via 112 will be empowered to enter another person’s premises, and will be fined if they are prevented from doing so. Officers may also have the power to order people to evacuate in emergencies reported to the police call centre.
In 2021, police officers responding to a 112 call about domestic violence withdrew without entering the house because the door was locked, and an hour later the victim was found unconscious inside.
A KNPA official said that the new law is very significant as it will help police officers to enforce law and order more confidently when dealing with 112 calls.