KT, one of South Korea’s leading telecom providers, has signed a 19.5 billion won ($14.1 million) contract with the National Police Agency to supply body-worn cameras and develop AI-powered safety infrastructure. This project aims to modernize the country’s law enforcement tools and boost public safety through digital innovation.
Under the agreement, KT will provide body cameras to over 14,000 officers working at local police stations and precincts nationwide over the next five years. It marks the first time the national police will fully fund the deployment of bodycams as standard equipment, moving away from the previous practice where some officers purchased them individually. The initiative is expected to enhance on-site response capabilities and increase transparency in policing.
This follows the 2024 amendment to the Police Officers’ Duty Act, which formally recognized bodycams as standard-issue law enforcement gear. Previously, only a limited number of officers had access to bodycams, often purchased at their own expense.
The initial batch of bodycams is expected to be delivered within the year, covering local police, traffic units, and mobile patrol teams. With roughly 56,000 officers nationwide and a four-shift rotation system in place, the 14,000 units are projected to ensure access for all active personnel.
KT is also tasked with building an AI-powered Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) to handle the footage recorded by the bodycams. This system enables the encrypted, real-time transmission of video to secure government servers, thereby preventing tampering or unauthorized sharing. It will also automate the identification and redaction of personal data to meet privacy requirements.
The AI-powered Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) will support police investigations by creating automated summaries from video footage. Future updates to the system are expected to include quick extraction of key information from long recordings, deepfake detection, and facial recognition. These capabilities aim to enhance the accuracy of evidence analysis while reducing the time officers spend on manual tasks.
To support the broader push for digital policing, KT has also secured a separate contract to supply smartphones and tablets to police patrol vehicles. These smart devices will be integrated with the 112 emergency response system, enhancing real-time communication and situational awareness for field officers.
The bodycam initiative is part of a larger 19.5 billion won investment that includes contributions from KT’s partners Cybertel Bridge and TS Line System. Officials believe the introduction of this technology will strengthen public trust, reduce disputes, and safeguard civil rights by offering transparent, tamper-proof video evidence of police interactions.
Image credits: KT Corp
