Police Chief Min Gap-ryong Leading 'Investigation Authority Adjustment' Steps Down from Uniform... "Returning as a Citizen Police Officer"

"The Police Are the Citizens, and the Citizens Are the Police"
Fourth Police Commissioner Completes Term
"Police Have Clearly Repeated Growth and Development
Regret Over Unfinished Tasks Like the Autonomous Police System"

National Police Agency Commissioner Min Gap-ryong is giving a farewell speech at the retirement ceremony held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Min Gap-ryong, the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency who led the long-awaited adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecutors and drew the blueprint for 'police reform,' has honorably concluded his 32-year career in the police force.

At the farewell ceremony held on the afternoon of the 23rd at the National Police Agency building in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Commissioner Min said, "I recall the day I first put on the police uniform," and expressed his gratitude first to his fellow officers, saying, "It was thanks to the support of all my colleagues that I, despite my shortcomings, was able to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me until the end."

Reflecting on his two years as Commissioner General, he said, "The weight on my shoulders was heavy amid the great historical mission of police reform and the value of safety, as well as the public's expectations," but added, "Thanks to the dedicated efforts of my colleagues, we were able to make progress step by step." He continued, "The Korean police are undoubtedly growing and developing continuously," emphasizing, "We are steadily establishing ourselves as an advanced policing nation admired by foreign police forces, centered on the 'K-police' wave, and the sweat we have shed has laid the foundation for one of the world's leading policing powers."

Regarding the investigative structure reform achieved during his term, he proudly stated, "It was possible thanks to the wisdom and capabilities gathered with one heart and one mind," and added, "I have once again realized the great truth that principles, common sense, natural order, and truth will surely prevail."

National Police Chief Min Gap-ryong is attending the farewell ceremony held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

While expressing regret over unfinished tasks, Commissioner Min promised new opportunities. He said, "I saw police officers who devoted themselves and served more than anyone else at the forefront of quarantine efforts against the COVID-19 crisis. It is unfortunate that they do not enjoy treatment and welfare commensurate with the weight of their given roles and responsibilities," and added, "I feel sorry that major reform tasks, including the autonomous police system, remain incomplete."

He then encouraged, "Kim Chang-ryong is a wonderful person with a warm personality and outstanding skills," and said, "I hope that under the new Commissioner General's leadership, all 150,000 police family members will unite and pioneer a new history for the police."

Commissioner Min also reflected on the slogan symbolizing his tenure, "The police are the citizens, and the citizens are the police," emphasizing, "I will return as a community police officer and contribute, even if only slightly, to upholding justice, peace, and order in our society."

Finally, he mentioned a police mission passage he had transcribed during his university days: "When disaster strikes with a fierce storm, we go out to save the unfortunate, seeking neither thanks nor praise, but only to gain a generous and harmonious paradise ourselves," and concluded with a message, "May a life full of meaning simply by being a police officer, beautiful law enforcement harmonizing principles, common sense, respect, and consideration, and the noble honor of protecting peaceful and happy neighbors always be with you all."

With this, Commissioner Min retired to applause as the fourth Commissioner General to complete his full term since the introduction of the fixed-term system in 2003. During his tenure, he achieved the long-cherished adjustment of investigative authority. He actively responded to crimes against women, purged the dark history of the police, reflected on past mistakes, and earned the nickname 'Apple Commissioner.'

Born in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, he graduated from the Korean National Police University (4th class) and joined the police in 1988. He served as the Planning and Coordination Officer at the National Police Agency, Chief of Songpa Police Station in Seoul, First Deputy Commissioner of Gwangju Police Agency, First Deputy Commissioner of Incheon Police Agency, Director of the Police Policy Research Institute at the Police University, Deputy Commissioner of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Planning and Coordination Officer at the National Police Agency, Deputy Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and was appointed as the 21st Commissioner General on July 24, 2018, completing a two-year term.

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