More interpreters needed for foreign suspects: lawmaker

By Kim Hyo-jin

The police agency lacks interpreters for foreign suspects in investigations amid a growing number of crimes perpetrated by expatriates, a lawmaker said Sunday.

Rep. Lee Myoung-su of the ruling Saenuri Party raised the issue that police have hired only 3,204 interpreters ― one fifteenth of the number of criminal cases.

The number of crimes committed by foreigners in the country was 46,994 last year, the lawmaker said based on data provided by the National Police Agency (NPA) ― an increase of 10,000 over the past five years from 36,453 in 2011.

Considering the pace of increase in such cases, the police should better prepare by overhauling the current interpreter system, Lee said.

Of 3,204 interpreters, 763 are the policemen and 2,441 are ordinary people. The police appoint volunteers and provide education through online programs.

“The operation of the system has remained primitive,” Lee said. “For better communication with suspects during the investigation process, it is necessary to increase the number of interpreters.”

The lawmaker proposed that the law should be revised to support the system with more interpreters of professional standing.

“It’s high time to systemize the process of hiring and providing interpreters for foreign suspects,” he said.

Lee is a member of the National Assembly Security and Public Administration Committee, committee which is to audit the NPA on Oct. 19.