The Korean National Police Agency on July 2 announced its launch of an interpretation service for expats in the country calling 112 to report crimes. (iclickart) *[Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of the above photo is strictly prohibited under copyright laws and regulations.]

By Xu Aiying

Foreign visitors to the country or expats can soon call police to report a crime in a foreign language.

The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) on July 2 announced the next day the launch of an interpretation service for non-Koreans to report a crime using the emergency phone number 112. 

The agency recruited four interpreters for English and Chinese, the two languages with the highest interpretation demand, and provided specialized training for crime reporting such as the 112 reporting process, legal terms and tips on responding to complaints.

The four will be deployed to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's 112 Emergency Dispatching and Operations Command Center to receive calls from foreign nationals and assist police on the job when interpretation is needed at front-line policing sites.

The interpreters completing the training are expected to quickly communicate with callers in English or Chinese, thus slashing reception time and enabling a faster first response.

Under pilot operations in the Seoul metropolitan region last month, average reception time was three minutes 52 seconds, or two minutes 21 seconds faster than before.

Police will distribute instructional videos and promotional materials on securing police assistance using the 112 system at major arrivals points like Incheon and Gimpo airports, railroad stations and consulates in Seoul so that expats can call 112 to get such help.

The KNPA will analyze the service's effectiveness and growth of demand and continuously expand the number of interpreters and languages available. 

"A foreign visitor falling victim to crime in Korea should call 112 as soon as possible to receive a response from a professional interpreter and prompt assistance from police," it added.

xuaiy@korea.kr