President Park Geun-hye says people who threaten national security and identity shouldn't go unchecked.
At a ceremony to appoint new police officers on Wednesday, President Park highlighted the growing importance of the police's role in maintaining security, saying there are still regional differences in Koreans' sense of safety.
The president's remarks follow a recent knife attack on U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert in broad daylight, as well as a series of shooting incidents that roused Koreans about the degree of safety in the country.
Referring to her economic innovation and structural reform drive, President Park asked the soon-to-be rookie officers to lead efforts to create a transparent and safe Korea, which she said was a requirement for reviving the economy.