Kim Ho-seung has officially taken office as the 38th Chief of the Jeonnam Police Agency, marking a new leadership era in regional law enforcement.
The Jeonnam Police Agency announced on September 3 that Kim has begun his duties following his inauguration.
In his inaugural address, Kim emphasized that the safety of citizens is the police's top priority, outlining key directions for the agency: 'Ensuring citizen safety first,' 'a police force that is strict on crime,' and 'a compassionate police force that protects the vulnerable.'
Kim expressed his pride in being part of the Jeonnam Police, stating, 'I am honored to stand here with you as a member of the proud Jeonnam Police. I feel a heavy responsibility in taking on the significant task of safeguarding citizens' daily lives.'
He particularly highlighted the importance of public safety in the face of a changing security environment.
'Safety is the foremost task that citizens expect from the police and is the highest value that cannot be compromised,' Kim said, calling for prompt and accurate responses to emergency calls and collaboration among local police, investigations, and traffic units.
He also stressed the need for security policies tailored to the unique characteristics of Jeonnam, a region with vast areas and the highest number of islands in the country, to ensure that no citizen is left behind in receiving police services.
Community policing in collaboration with local governments, related agencies, and citizens was also identified as a major task.
In addressing crime, Kim called for 'expertise' and 'strictness.'
He emphasized the need to enhance response capabilities to serious crimes such as drug offenses and increasingly sophisticated scams, including voice phishing. He advocated for developing expertise to adapt to rapidly changing environments, including advancements in AI technology, while also committing to actively pursue and recover criminal proceeds.
Protecting the vulnerable and crime victims was highlighted as a key security policy.
Kim urged, 'We must be strict with criminals but approach the vulnerable with warmth,' asking officers to handle cases involving women, children, and the elderly with care.
He pledged to strengthen cooperation with local community agencies to help victims return to their daily lives and to build a robust social safety net by actively utilizing available resources.
Kim also emphasized the importance of trust and accountability within the police organization. He conveyed a message to staff about the weight of the authority granted by the public and the need to uphold their basic duties as public servants.
Internally, he expressed his intention to enhance communication with frontline officers and to foster an organizational culture where employees are fairly evaluated for their work.
Kim referenced the saying 'Those who follow the right path will receive help from many' (득도다조) and stated, 'I will create an environment where hard-working individuals are properly recognized, allowing police officers to feel more fulfilled and proud in their roles.'
Born in 1969, Kim graduated from Daeseong High School in Daejeon and earned a degree in police administration from Dongguk University, where he also obtained a master's degree in police studies. He joined the police force in 1995 as part of the 43rd executive candidate program.
He has since served in various roles, including as the head of the Crime Prevention Division at the Chungnam Police Agency, the chief of the Boryeong Police Station, and the director of the Information Equipment Planning Division at the National Police Agency. He has also held positions as the chief of the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul and the director of Crime Analysis and Auditing at the National Police Agency.
After being promoted to senior superintendent, he served in the National Defense University Security Course and as the head of the Public Safety Division at the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency. He was later promoted to police commissioner and served as the chief of the Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency, the director of the National Police Agency's Public Safety and Traffic Bureau, and the chief of the Chungnam Police Agency before assuming his current role as the 38th chief of the Jeonnam Police Agency.
With extensive experience in public safety, crime analysis, auditing, and public safety, attention is focused on how Chief Kim will harmonize frontline policing with internal trust within the organization.
As he begins his tenure, Kim plans to prioritize public safety, protection of the vulnerable, response to serious and sophisticated crimes, and communication with frontline officers, aiming to enhance the safety of daily life for residents and build trust in the Jeonnam Police.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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