Police Chief Nominee Hearing Turns into 'Park Won-soon Hearing'...Criticism of Oh Keo-don's Investigation (Comprehensive)

Candidate Kim Chang-ryong's National Assembly Confirmation Hearing

Kim Chang-ryong, nominee for Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 20th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Assembly confirmation hearing for Kim Chang-ryong, the nominee for Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, predictably turned into a "Park Won-soon hearing." Amid bipartisan calls for a thorough investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, Kim stated his intention to continue investigating the related complaints and accusations. However, he maintained a principled stance that the case filed by former secretary A must be handled as "no prosecutorial jurisdiction."

Focus on 'Park Won-soon Allegations' Questions... "Thorough Investigation"

At the confirmation hearing of nominee Kim before the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on the 20th, all members from both ruling and opposition parties concentrated their questions on the investigation related to the late Mayor Park. Kim said, "There are six cases currently under police investigation related to complaints and accusations against the late Mayor Park," adding, "We will investigate within the necessary scope according to the law." He also promised a thorough investigation into secondary victimization incidents and the motives behind Park's death.

Members from both sides pointed out issues regarding fact-finding, leakage of complaint details, concealment and complicity of sexual harassment within the Seoul city government, and prevention of secondary harm. In response to a question from Democratic Party lawmaker Han Byung-do about whether the complaint against Park was reported to the Blue House at an appropriate time, Kim replied, "Major incidents that attract social attention are reported at the occurrence stage." Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Ho-seon also called for improvements in police reporting regulations. Park Soo-young of the United Future Party criticized similarly, saying, "If it is deemed natural to report to the Blue House, the Blue House will gain autocratic power."

The opposition party strongly urged the resolution of the sexual harassment allegations against the late Mayor Park. Justice Party lawmaker Lee Eun-joo called for Kim's strong will to uncover the truth, and United Future Party lawmaker Kim Hyung-dong expressed regret over the investigation process by questioning the text messages Kim received on the day Park was accused. Kim responded, "We will continue to conduct necessary investigations strictly and thoroughly."

The police investigating the death of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon are expected to summon Im Soon-young, Seoul City's Special Gender Advisor, and other related personnel for questioning this week. On the 20th, reporters were waiting in front of the Seongbuk Police Station in Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Opposition's Attack on Oh Keo-don’s 'Lenient Investigation'... Positive Response to Corruption Investigation Office's Probe of 'Power-related Crimes'

Alongside the issue of the late Mayor Park, there was also an offensive regarding the investigation into sexual harassment allegations against former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don. This is because Kim currently serves as the Chief of the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, responsible for overseeing Oh's investigation. When United Future Party lawmaker Park Wan-soo compared the investigation of former Ulsan Mayor Kim Ki-hyun and criticized the investigation into Oh as lenient, Kim countered, "We are conducting a thorough investigation without concealment or hesitation." Regarding questions about the investigation into Oh being slower than that of Park, Kim explained, "The Park case started with a direct complaint from the accuser, whereas the Oh case was recognized through a unilateral press conference," adding, "It is true that collecting evidence such as victim testimonies took a lot of time."

Kim also expressed a positive stance on including "power-related sexual crimes" within the investigative scope of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). In response to a question from Democratic Party lawmaker Oh Young-hoon about his personal opinion on including power-related sexual crimes in the CIO's jurisdiction, he said, "I think it is acceptable to include sexual crimes committed through abuse of power."

Investigation into the Death of Late Athlete Choi Sook-hyun... "Will Ensure No Distrust"

Regarding questions about the late triathlon athlete Choi Sook-hyun, who tragically took her own life due to group bullying and assault, Kim emphasized strict measures. The late athlete's side filed a complaint with the prosecution, requesting a direct investigation, and held a press conference at the National Assembly criticizing the police for inadequate investigation.

In response to Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Hae-sik's question, Kim said, "I assume the victim had more trust in the prosecution's investigation," adding, "The victim might have had concerns about inadequate investigation." He further stated, "The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency is currently conducting an internal inspection of the entire complaint case," emphasizing, "We will take strict action based on the results." When United Future Party lawmaker Lee Myung-soo mentioned that the case is currently under investigation by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Unit, Kim responded, "We will conduct a proper investigation to ensure there is no distrust."

Kim Chang-ryong, the nominee for Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, is taking the witness oath at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Ruling Party Calls for "Police Reform," Opposition Criticizes "Political Appointments"

The ruling party continued to question police reform tasks such as the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecution and the introduction of a local police system. Kim responded to lawmakers' questions by saying, "As the authority and accountability of police investigations have increased through investigative structure reform, we are considering various measures to guarantee accountability, neutrality, and fairness," adding, "Institutionally, it is desirable to strengthen control through the actualization of the Police Commission and to introduce a system where the head of the National Investigation Headquarters, an appointed position, oversees and manages investigations."

The opposition party launched an offensive emphasizing Kim's ties to President Moon Jae-in, accusing the appointment as a "political appointment." United Future Party lawmaker Seo Beom-soo pointed out, "An ordinary police officer from the Police Academy rapidly rose through the ranks since the current government took office in May 2017," questioning, "Whether he truly understands the field of public safety, practical work, and can secure public safety and law and order is doubtful." United Future Party lawmaker Lee Myung-soo also mentioned this, urging, "I hope he is aware of such perceptions while performing his duties." In response to these questions, Kim said, "I have over 30 years of experience in various fields of the police," adding, "I will complete police reform and conduct police activities strictly according to law and principles from the people's perspective."

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