Sasang-gu District Police in Busan launched the honorary patrol group on Apr. 21. / Courtesy of Sasang-gu District Police



By Eom Da-sol

The first honorary patrol party of foreigners has been launched in Busan to help protect foreign residents in the Sasang-gu District.

District police held a ceremony marking the launch of the team, assigning members to basic duties on Apr. 21.

The 17 patrolmen are mainly undergraduates from Silla University and Dongseo University in the city. Most are from China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.

Wearing district police hats and vests, team members will patrol the district with police at least twice a month.

"We anticipate the honorary patrols will help prevent violent crimes," a police official said. "The team will also raise public awareness of security."

Sasang-gu District has the second-biggest foreign population of all Busan districts.

In 2014, the district introduced "Multicultural Street," where foreign food markets and an information service center for expats meet the growing demand.