Judging by what I read in the media it does seem like there has been either an increase in crime in Korea or that the police are actually doing their jobs and arresting criminals:

The nation may be celebrating the 61st anniversary of the Constitution today, but not everybody respects the top law.

The number of minor offenses in the first half of this year rose by 24.1 percent to 473,936 cases from the 381,716 last year, the National Police Agency said yesterday.

The greatest leap was in public order offenses, with 92,871 cases identified, a 67.1 percent rise from last year.

The number of acts of violence under the influence of alcohol rose to 41,289 cases, a 62.8 percent rise.

Traffic law violations also saw a 74 percent rise, from 1.18 million cases to 2.06 million cases.

“The increase on the figures is partly attributable to our campaign during the first half of the year to actively regulate such minor offenses,” said an official of the National Police Agency.

More drug-related crimes have been reported as well.

A total of 4,122 drug offenders were caught during the January-June period, an 11.3 percent increase from last year, according to police data.

Amid a broadening marijuana market, 199 offenders were apprehended during the first half of the year for processing, circulating and using the drug, 55 percent up from last year.  [Korea Herald]

Arresting these criminals is one thing, now how many of them will actually be seriously punished for their offenses?