[Press Release] Commission Holds Policy Discussion on Institutional Improvements to the Police Disaster Response System

National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster
Press Release
July 15, 2026

Commission Holds Policy Discussion on Institutional Improvements to the Police Disaster Response System

Discussion focuses on measures to improve the disaster response system based on joint decision-making among relevant agencies, including local governments and fire authorities.
Chair Song Doo-Hwan stated, “The police are a key institution in disaster response. We will work to develop effective measures to improve the police disaster response system.”

The National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster and Prevention of Recurrence (the “Commission”) will hold a policy discussion titled “Developing Measures to Improve the Police Disaster Response System” at 2:00 p.m. on July 15 in the 8th-floor auditorium of the Commission’s office.

The policy discussion was organized as part of the Commission’s investigative tasks in safety society-related issues, with the aim of enhancing understanding of the disaster response systems of the police and other relevant disaster-response agencies, and exploring and reviewing various measures for institutional improvement.

Professor Hwang Jung-Yong of the Department of Police Science at Dongseo University will deliver the keynote presentation, explaining key legal issues and the need for institutional improvements to strengthen the police disaster response system and proposing specific measures for improvement.

The presentation will specifically propose measures such as (i) establishing an inter-agency cooperation system applicable in the field based on advanced technologies, as well as AI and real-time response systems; and (ii) plans to make local safety councils permanent bodies.

Panelists will include (i) Yoo Hyung-Woo, Steering Committee member of the Association of Bereaved Families of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster; (ii) Professor Park Byung-Wook of the Public Administration Department at Jeju National University; (iii) Bae Hyo-Sung, Research Fellow at the Korea Legislation Research Institute; (iv) Attorney Choo Eun-Hye, Managing Attorney at Dn-dn Law Office; and (v) Choi Hee-Cheon, Research Director of the Asia Safety Education Promotion Institute.

The Commission will review the opinions and proposed improvements presented at today’s discussion, gather expert input, and use the findings in preparing its investigation results report and policy recommendations.

Chair Song Doo-Hwan will emphasize, “The police are a key institution that is among the first to receive and disseminate risk signals at the scene and maintain public order,” adding, “Through today’s discussion, we will work to develop measures to improve the police disaster response system.” //End//