Police revive random checks amid violent crimes

Police said Sunday they will stop and question people acting suspiciously on the streets as part of efforts to prevent violent crimes following rapes and stabbings that have shocked the nation.

The National Police Agency (NPA) said it has ordered its regional and local offices to carry out random identity checks starting this month, reviving a practice that was effectively halted in September 2010 over concerns about human rights violations.

The order comes in the wake of a series of stabbing and rape incidents that have left several people, including young girls, dead or seriously injured.

In the latest case, a 23-year-old man abducted a seven-year-old girl from her home and abandoned her on a riverside after raping her so violently her internal organs were seriously damaged.

"We've seen a surge in violent crimes recently and it's become more important than ever to prevent and stop crimes in advance," an NPA official said, asking he not be identified.

"We will carry out random identity checks and use other strong measures to prevent imitation crimes and stop the criminal atmosphere (from spreading)." (Yonhap)