Yoon Ho-jung, Minister of the Interior and Safety, stated that Kim Jong-cheol, the candidate for the new police chief, possesses a broad perspective necessary for addressing the contemporary challenges of reforming the criminal justice system and police reform.
During a briefing at the Government Seoul Complex on the afternoon of November 6, Yoon said, "The candidate has been recognized both domestically and internationally for his excellent planning abilities and execution skills, having extensive experience in field security as well as in overseeing policies related to autonomous police, personnel, and information."
According to Article 14 of the Police Act, the police chief is appointed by the President following the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior and Safety, with the consent of the National Police Commission and the Prime Minister. The National Police Commission held an extraordinary meeting on the same day and agreed to Yoon's recommendation for Kim. Kim is currently serving as the acting police chief.
Yoon explained, "I sought the National Police Commission's consent for the police chief candidate, and I am recommending the candidate in accordance with the procedures established by relevant laws."
Kim graduated from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies with a degree in English and joined the police force, serving as the chief of the Sokcho Police Station in Gangwon and the Seocho Police Station in Seoul, among other frontline leadership roles. He has also held positions as the head of the Autonomous Police Division in Busan, the head of the Public Safety Division in Daejeon, the head of the Life Safety and Traffic Division in Seoul, and the chief of the Gyeongnam Police Agency. He was promoted to the rank of police commissioner in September and became the deputy chief of the National Police Agency.
Since his promotion to deputy chief, he has been overseeing organizational adjustments in line with the implementation of the revised Criminal Procedure Act.
Yoon emphasized, "Based on his rich experience and organizational management skills, Kim is the right person to faithfully carry out the police's mission of protecting the lives, bodies, and property of the public while maintaining public safety and order."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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