South Korea's police will permanently bar senior officers of the rank of senior superintendent and above who receive heavy disciplinary action for serious misconduct — including irregularities in investigations and the taking of money or entertainment, as well as sexual misconduct — from key posts such as station chief and investigative units. The move is intended to impose stricter personnel accountability on high-ranking officers who hold command authority, strengthening the integrity of the organization and the fairness of investigations.
The Korean National Police Agency said on the 16th that it is pushing ahead with an implementation plan on excluding those guilty of serious misconduct from key posts.
The rule applies to ranks from senior superintendent, the level that heads local police stations, up to commissioner (chian-jeonggam), the second-highest rank in the police organization. In the case of senior officers at the rank of chief superintendent (gyeongmugwan) and above, those who receive heavy disciplinary action for serious misconduct will in principle be excluded from consideration for key posts.
Posts will be restricted for serious misconduct that undermines compliance with the law and ethical standards, including misconduct related to investigative duties, the taking of money or entertainment, sexual misconduct, drunk driving and abuse of authority. Officers who receive heavy disciplinary action for such misconduct will face not merely temporary disadvantages in personnel decisions but a permanent restriction on appointment to key posts.
The posts subject to exclusion include station chief as well as positions in investigative units and in audit and human rights units, where a high level of fairness and integrity is required in carrying out duties.
By linking past serious misconduct by senior officers directly to appointments to key posts, the police are expected to further tighten personnel vetting of commanders with a record of misconduct. The plan focuses in particular on categorically excluding those with a record of serious misconduct from positions directly tied to the exercise of police powers, such as directing investigations and internal inspections.
The police agency said it will demand a higher level of legal compliance and ethical conduct starting with the leadership and strengthen the integrity and fairness of the police organization.
