Body cam deployed for S. Korean police for 1st time

May 26, 2015
Body Cam

This photo, taken on May 25, 2015, shows a body camera mounted on a police officer from a police station in the southwestern city of Gunsan. Body cameras are those mounted on the front of a uniform and set to record an officer’s law enforcement of crime scenes. The Gunsan police have deployed four body cameras for the first time in South Korea, as part of its efforts to apprehend criminals interfering with their execution of duties and procurement of assault and robbery evidence. (Yonhap)

A police station has given four body cameras to some of its officers, becoming the first South Korean police station to use the latest technology that could give a clear picture of crime scenes.

Bae Sang-jin, an officer at the police station in Gunsan, said the move was taken on May 7 and his station plans to allow more officers on the street to wear body cameras if the devices are effective.

He said officers plan to wear the body cameras when they deal with such cases as violence and obstruction of justice, noting that wearing the devices is not mandatory.

There are currently only four body cameras for more than 260 police officers in Gunsan, a western port city.

Each body camera costs 250,000 won ($230).