Next Year Launch of 'National Investigation Headquarters' to Operate Under Acting Leadership for Now... "Selection Decision Not Made"

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, Press Conference
"Will Explain Investigation Results of Park Won-soon Case Soon"
9 Cases Related to Jo Doo-soon Occurred... 3 Cases Transferred

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is giving a briefing on reforming power institutions on the afternoon of the 16th at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The 'National Investigation Headquarters,' which will be launched alongside the implementation of the prosecution and police investigation authority adjustment in January next year, will operate under a deputy position system for the time being.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated in a written press briefing on the 28th, "It has not yet been decided whether the selection will be internal or external," adding, "To prevent any vacancy in the duties of the National Investigation Headquarters Chief, a deputy will be appointed to perform the chief's duties until the official appointment is made."

The National Investigation Headquarters will oversee the command and supervision of police investigations. The head of the National Investigation Headquarters will be appointed at the rank of Police Commissioner General, directly below the Commissioner of the National Police Agency. However, it has become practically difficult to appoint the chief within this year. Commissioner Kim explained, "If selected internally, it will proceed according to the usual police personnel schedule, and if through an external recruitment, it is expected to take some additional time."

If selected internally, the appointment process involves the recommendation of the National Police Agency Commissioner, proposal by the Minister of the Interior and Safety, passing through the Prime Minister, and appointment by the President. If decided through external recruitment, additional steps such as document screening, physical examination, and comprehensive evaluation will be conducted. While appointing the chief internally would be advantageous for organizational stability, it may face criticism for contradicting the 'police reform' intent of opening the position externally. Accordingly, external appointment currently holds more weight. The deputy is likely to be a director-level official (Police Commissioner) within the National Investigation Headquarters, such as the Investigation Planning and Coordination Officer, based on the headquarters' structure.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kim stated regarding the death circumstances of the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and the sexual harassment negligence case, "We will provide an explanation to the media after comprehensively analyzing and concluding the investigation."

Since the release of child sex offender Jo Doo-soon (69) on the 12th of this month, nine related incidents, including vehicle damage by YouTubers, have been recorded. Among these, one case was closed on the spot, three were forwarded to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment, and investigations are ongoing for the remaining five cases.

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