In Bonghwa County, Gyeongbuk, the closure of local police centers has led to a significant increase in emergency response times. Residents are expressing growing concerns about safety as the absence of police presence leaves them feeling vulnerable.
On October 29, in the village of Beopjeon, an abandoned two-story building stood empty, its police insignia barely visible. Broken light fixtures littered the ground, and the locked doors and peeling paint reflected the community's sense of neglect. An 80-year-old local orchard owner, Kang Mo-woong, paused his work to gaze at the dilapidated police center. He voiced his worries, stating, "No matter how small the town, having at least one police officer makes a difference. At night, it gets dark, and with houses scattered, it's only natural to feel unsafe." He added, "Is there any talk of police returning?"
Since the consolidation of police stations into districts 26 years ago, the Beopjeon area had only one officer until last year when the last officer left. The police withdrew from the area, citing efficiency and cost-cutting measures, resulting in the complete closure of the Beopjeon Police Center.
The police centers served as the last line of defense for local safety, responding to community needs. The nearest police station now is 15 kilometers away, with an average response time of about 15 minutes—over 11 minutes longer than the average response time of 3 minutes and 33 seconds at the Hyehwa Police Station in Seoul.
Similarly, the Bongseong Police Center also closed around the same time, despite the presence of Bongseong Elementary School, which has around 20 students. The center, once a reassuring presence for residents, is now overgrown with weeds and serves as a reminder of the community's safety concerns. Only a wanted poster at the entrance hints at its former purpose.
Kang Tae-san, a 69-year-old security guard at Bongseong Elementary, witnessed the police's departure firsthand. He now checks his door locks multiple times before bed, feeling an increased sense of insecurity. "They shouldn't have removed the police sign from the center. Even without officers, it could have served as a deterrent," he lamented. "Everyone in the neighborhood is worried. Just because the population is small doesn't mean we should be deprived of safety. Why push people away when we need to encourage them to stay?"
The decline in police infrastructure is accelerating due to rural depopulation. An investigation by Aju Economy found that 72 police centers were closed nationwide in 2025, along with 10 police stations.
Areas suffering from a lack of medical and legal services, as well as designated population decline zones, have been hit hardest. In 2025 alone, 21 police centers closed in 11 regions, including Bonghwa, Seocheon, Jeongseon, Pyeongchang, and others.
The reduction in police infrastructure has led to a noticeable decline in emergency response capabilities. According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to lawmaker Park Joo-min, the average response time for 112 emergency calls in these regions has steadily increased from 5 minutes and 50 seconds in 2024 to 6 minutes and 44 seconds in 2026, a rise of nearly one minute in just two years.
Bonghwa County has experienced the most severe impacts. Following the closure of three police centers last year, the average response time for 112 calls from the Bonghwa Police Station reached 9 minutes and 41 seconds in the first half of this year, an increase of 2 minutes and 4 seconds compared to two years ago—the largest increase among police stations nationwide. For urgent calls (C1), the response time increased from 8 minutes and 22 seconds to 11 minutes and 34 seconds, a rise of 3 minutes and 12 seconds.
The situation is compounded by an aging population. As of August 2026, 46.9% of Bonghwa's residents are over 65, meaning nearly half of the population is elderly. While the population declines, the proportion of seniors increases, and the area that police must cover is vast. Bonghwa County spans approximately 1,202.7 square kilometers, double the size of Seoul (605.25 square kilometers). However, each police officer in Bonghwa is responsible for 10.74 square kilometers, about 370 times the average area covered by police in Seoul. This has already contributed to delays in emergency response times. The average response time for critical calls (C0) in Bonghwa is 7 minutes and 52 seconds, which is 4 minutes and 11 seconds longer than in Seoul, meaning residents wait over twice as long for assistance.
Seocheon County has also felt the impact of reduced police presence. The average response time for 112 calls at Seocheon Police Station increased by 1 minute and 45 seconds over two years, while urgent calls (C1) saw a rise of 2 minutes and 27 seconds. Seocheon is the site of the unsolved 2004 Seocheon car center murder case, which still haunts local residents. A local official noted, "For residents with memories of crime in the area, the lack of police presence is particularly concerning. Abandoned buildings have become crime hotspots, contributing to residents' psychological unease and deteriorating living conditions."
The trend of reducing police infrastructure is not limited to rural areas. In 2024, the Daeya Police Station in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, faced significant backlash when police proposed converting it into a community policing center for efficiency. Over 3,000 residents opposed the plan, leading to a halt in the closure process. In August, a proposal to consolidate the Hanam Misaji Police Station was also withdrawn due to resident opposition. Calls for the restoration and establishment of police stations have emerged in Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Gangwon provinces.
Experts have pointed out that inefficiencies in police organization are leading to gaps in local safety. Yoon In-ho, an honorary professor of police administration at Dongguk University, stated, "The police are currently reorganizing by reallocating investigative personnel from existing police forces, which is a short-term fix. As these temporary measures continue, the adverse effects, such as gaps in rural safety, will only increase. Clear standards for personnel management must be established during the reorganization process to ensure long-term stability."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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