Retired police officers and former public servants are likely to join police to protect foreign visitors in Seoul’s major tourist spots, a city official said Monday.

Seoul Police Agency plans to launch a 100-member police corps by October to crack down on abuses against tourists by illegal taxi vans, unauthorized guides and others.

Seoul City is considering deploying 12 former officials with local knowledge as “tourist sheriffs” to assist police in the most popular tourist areas, such as Myeongdong, Jongno and Dongdaemun.

(rene@heraldcorp.com)