Yoo Jae-sung, who served as acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency for 15 months — the longest such tenure in the force's history — stepped down on the 2nd. Kim Jong-cheol, chief of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, was named as successor and becomes the third acting police commissioner since the December 3 martial law crisis.
At a farewell ceremony held at 10 a.m. at police headquarters in Seodaemun District, Seoul, Yoo reflected on the close of a 38-year career in the force. "Fifteen months was by no means short, and I had to steel myself day after day," Yoo said.
Apparently mindful of the revised Criminal Procedure Act taking effect on the 2nd of next month, Yoo said the force stands at another critical juncture. "In just one month, investigation and prosecution will be completely separated," he said. "Unlike other investigative agencies, the police cannot pick and choose which cases to investigate. That is why police investigation is not a power but a 'responsibility' and a 'duty.'"
At the same time, he pointed to growing public distrust of the police stemming from the recent "Jang Yoon-gi case" and the "Jeju false case closure of a missing person," saying the force must review its systems across the board. "The string of recent incidents makes us question the very reason the police exist," he said. "Rather than holding individuals accountable, we must coolly examine whether the chain of command and supervision functioned without gaps."
He also stressed the need for public emergency shelter institutions. "Let me take this opportunity to make an earnest request of the public as well," Yoo said. "I hope you will also look with warmth on the hardships officers face in the field." He added: "Police handle suicide attempts and psychiatric emergencies, but there are few suitable facilities to hand these people over to, so officers have long taken on protective duties as well. Citizens in danger should receive timely professional help, and police should be able to respond quickly to other urgent scenes."
Speaking to reporters before the ceremony, Yoo said he hopes to teach after retirement. "There is a lecture program run by a research foundation, and I applied," he said. "I have to be accepted first. I want to teach subjects related to police administration or police science."
Meanwhile, Kim Jong-cheol, appointed deputy commissioner general and thus acting commissioner, was scheduled to hold his own farewell ceremony at the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency at around 9:30 a.m. before traveling to Seoul.
A native of Hamyang, Gyeongnam, Kim is the only graduate of the police officer candidate program among those promoted to senior superintendent general this round. Kim previously worked at the presidential office under the Moon Jae-in administration. Having also been dispatched to the State Affairs Planning Committee shortly after the current government took office, Kim is seen as the strongest candidate for commissioner general. Having served in posts including head of the public safety bureau at the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency and head of the community safety and traffic bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Kim is regarded as a figure who can stabilize the organization's administration.
