Last week's kidnapping and rape of a 7-year-old girl in the southwest of the country was just the latest in a number of violent crime cases throughout Korea in recent weeks.
On Monday, the nation's police responded.
During a meeting of commissioners from every district police agency in the country, Kim Ki-yong, commissioner general of the National Police Agency, announced a new set of measures to battle violent crimes.


[Interview : Kim Ki-yong, Commissioner General
Korean National Police Agency] "These measures are meant to combat sex crimes to alleviate concerns felt by the public. We will do our utmost to implement them and protect women, children and the socially weak."

All available personnel will be diverted to the prevention of sex crimes through October 3rd.
Special units dedicated to preventing and solving sex crimes will be established at police stations across the nation.
And patrol officers will have their powers strengthened.
They will now have the right to stop and question anyone who is suspected of having committed a crime or anyone who appears likely to commit one particularly in areas where crimes against women are more prevalent.
And a control center charged with monitoring obscene material such as pornography will also be set up.
The new measures are in response to the recent surge in high-profile crimes and President Lee Myung-bak's call to step up prevention.
President Lee promised to put more resources toward public security by increasing the number of patrol officers on the street and strengthening surveillance.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.

Reporter : youchaie@arirang.co.kr