An Evaluation of South Korea’s Nationwide Implementation of the Autonomous Police System

• In Event: Roundtable: Policing in South Korea

Abstract

The autonomous police system in South Korea, previously limited to the Jeju Province, was implemented nationwide in July 2021. As we approach the three-year mark since its inception, questions arise regarding its effectiveness: Have we reaped the benefits as expected, and have the concerns been properly addressed? To answer these questions, the current study revisits a survey administered prior to the national implementation – in October 2020 – to street-level officers who were affiliated with the Jeju province autonomous police (n = 245), where police decentralization had already taken place long before the national implementation. A descriptive analysis revealed the expectations and concerns that were held by the officers regarding the nationwide implementation of the autonomous police system. Furthermore, using their responses as a baseline, we propose a narrative review evaluating how the current operational status of the autonomous police system compares to the initial expectations and concerns. The present research provides insights into the efficacy and challenges faced by the autonomous police system on a national scale, grounded in the perceptions of those who have experienced its implementation firsthand.

Author

• Jangwon Kim, Sam Houston State University