“Citizens Are Watching”: CCTV Public-Service Campaign Appears in Jeju

A CCTV camera normally aimed at citizens was turned toward police in a temporary public-service campaign in Jeju. The installation carried the messages “Greater power requires greater oversight” and “Citizens are watching.”

The Ije-seok Advertising Research Institute staged the campaign near Jeju Western Police Station and in the Hallim area of Jeju City. The display placed a CCTV-shaped object where the police station could be seen, with images of citizens facing in the same direction behind it.

“

Greater power requires greater oversight.

The group said the installation symbolized a shift from CCTV as a tool for monitoring the public and preventing crime to a “citizens’ eye” watching public authority. The campaign addressed criticism of police handling after a station officer allegedly closed a missing-person report as if contact had been made.

“

Citizens are watching.

The missing person, a woman in her 30s, was found dead 101 days after the report was filed. Another person in their 60s was also later found dead after a missing-person report was allegedly handled in a similar way. The advertising institute said it focused on police responsibility and weaknesses in the system rather than attacking one individual.

The CCTV object had no filming or recording function and was removed after the temporary performance. Jeju Provincial Police arrested the officer and are investigating allegations that the officer falsely closed both cases.

“

We focused on asking, from the citizens’ perspective, about the police’s role and responsibility and the system’s weaknesses, rather than attacking a specific individual.