Park promises to expand police force

SEOUL, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- South Korean presidential candidate Park Geun-hye Friday pledged to expand the country's police force if she is elected.

Park, of the ruling conservative Saenuri Party, said she would increase the police force by 20,000 members as part of efforts to prevent violent crimes and improve public safety, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"I will increase the police force by 4,000 each year over the next five years for a total increase of 20,000, and improve public safety to the same level as advanced nations," she said during the press conference at party headquarters. "I will [reduce] the number of citizens per police officer to under 400 as in advanced nations."

South Korea is set to hold presidential elections Dec. 19.