Nominee Kim Chang-ryong for Commissioner of the National Police Agency Begins Full Preparation for Parliamentary Confirmation Hearing... Likely to Pass Smoothly

14-Member Preparation Team Formed... Strengthening Investigation and Planning Weaknesses
Police Reform Commitment Continues
Opposition Highlights Investigation of Oh Geodon and Code Appointments

Kim Chang-ryong, nominee for Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is answering questions from reporters after attending an emergency meeting of the Police Commission held at the Police Commission in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Kim Chang-ryong, the chief of the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency who has been nominated as the next Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, has begun full-scale preparations for the parliamentary confirmation hearing. The hearing for candidate Kim is expected to focus on policy questions. There are also predictions that the hearing will be uneventful due to the ruling party's majority in the National Assembly.

According to the police on the 30th, candidate Kim has formed a 14-member parliamentary confirmation hearing preparation team led by Kim Hak-gwan, head of the Police University faculty (Senior Superintendent). The preparation team is divided into three parts: policy, personal background, and parliamentary affairs. Compared to two years ago when Min Gap-ryong was a candidate for Commissioner General, a parliamentary response team has been newly established, and the team size has increased by two members.

Looking at the key personnel of the preparation team, one can somewhat gauge the future direction of the police that candidate Kim is preparing and planning. In particular, the appointments are evaluated as compensating for candidate Kim's weakness of having no investigative or planning experience.

First, it is notable that the policy team is led by Ryu Mi-jin, head of the Women-Targeted Crime Investigation Division at the National Police Agency (Chief Superintendent). Given that digital sex crimes such as the Telegram “Nth Room” case have been major issues, this decision appears to maintain a policy of strengthening responses to crimes against women while considering that candidate Kim has no investigative experience in his career.

Additionally, the parliamentary affairs team is headed by Nam Je-hyun, head of the Investigation Structure Reform Team at the National Police Agency (Chief Superintendent), which is interpreted as a commitment to smoothly advancing the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police. The establishment of the parliamentary affairs team, which did not exist two years ago, and its assignment to the person in charge of investigation structure reform alone reveals candidate Kim’s determination to complete “police reform.” After attending a temporary meeting of the Police Commission for appointment approval, candidate Kim told reporters, “I am well aware of the public’s expectations and demands for national safety, fair law enforcement, and police reform,” adding, “I will prepare calmly and thoroughly.”

In addition, the preparation team includes police officers at the superintendent level responsible for various fields such as police reform, workplace councils, community safety, women and youth, inspection, public relations, legal affairs, and intelligence.

With the next commissioner general nominated, the government is expected to send the confirmation hearing request to the National Assembly within this week. There have been no notable personal flaws reported about candidate Kim so far. His recent asset declaration shows about 440 million KRW, including an apartment in Amsa-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, jointly owned with his wife, so he is not a “multiple homeowner.”

Accordingly, it is expected that ruling party lawmakers will focus their questions on policy areas during the hearing. On the other hand, opposition parties are likely to launch attacks related to the investigation of sexual harassment allegations against former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don. When former Mayor Oh was summoned for police questioning, he arrived through a private underground parking lot, drawing criticism as “imperial protection.” The opposition may also highlight candidate Kim’s ties with President Moon Jae-in as a “coded appointment.” Since the 21st National Assembly has a ruling party majority and the candidate has few personal flaws, it is widely expected within and outside the police that he will pass the hearing smoothly.

Meanwhile, candidate Kim is reportedly preparing calmly for the confirmation hearing at his current post in the Busan Police Agency. The preparation team will assist candidate Kim at the Busan Police Agency for about two weeks in preparation for the hearing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.