Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong Inaugurated as National Police Chief: "We Will Create the Safest Country and a Police Force Respected and Loved by All"

"Police Reform, the Spirit of the Times and a Stern Command from the People"
Proposing Neighborly Police, Fair Police, and Empathetic Police
Focusing on Preventive Police Activities... Steps to Protect the 'Socially Vulnerable'

Kim Chang-ryong, the new Commissioner General of the National Police Agency. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Kim Chang-ryong officially took office as the new Commissioner General of the National Police Agency on the 24th. He pledged police activities that realize the values of safety and fairness under the slogan "The safest country, a police force respected and loved." In particular, he defined police reform as the "spirit of the times" and expressed a strong determination to unite the will of 150,000 police officers.

In his inaugural speech announced that day, Commissioner Kim said, "The Korean police are once again facing a turning point for change and leap forward," adding, "We must always fulfill the police duty from the perspective of the people and continuously focus on reform to create 'the safest country' and become 'a police force respected and loved.'"

Commissioner Kim continued, "The starting point lies in protecting the value of 'safety,' the fundamental mission of the police," and added, "As a 'reliable neighborhood police' closest to the people, we must create an environment where people can feel safe from various crimes and accidents around their daily lives." He especially mentioned that digital sex crimes and child abuse, which recently caused public outrage, occurred in safety blind spots, emphasizing a focus on 'preventive police activities.'

Commissioner Kim particularly defined police reform as "the spirit of the times and the solemn command of the people," stating, "Until the fruits of reform that the people can feel are achieved, we must unite with one heart, accelerate the pace, and deepen the efforts," showing his commitment to continuous promotion.

Commissioner Kim also presented four ideals for the police: ▲ a world where safety is everyday, a society where fairness is common sense ▲ strict yet warm law enforcement ▲ a police organization that prioritizes human rights ▲ proud and trustworthy neighborhood police officers. He said, "This is the image of the police we must forever aim for and build, and the direction of reform," adding, "We will become neighborhood police, responsible police, and empathetic police who look only to the people, and run vigorously without wavering or hesitation."

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kim's inauguration ceremony was held at 11:10 a.m. at the Migeun-dong headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was conducted in a 'companion inauguration' format using digital methods and communicating with the field. Before the main event, Commissioner Kim paid respects at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and the Police Memorial Park in Jung-gu. Ten representative field officers, including local police, Abuse Prevention Officers (APO), detectives, cyber police, and dialogue police, accompanied him throughout the schedule to communicate with him.

After the inauguration ceremony, Commissioner Kim's first schedule was to visit the Yongjung Police Substation of Yongsan Police Station and the Yongsan-gu Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis in the afternoon. This event reflects his intention to strengthen communication with local police on the front lines of public safety and actively protect socially vulnerable groups.

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