Guatemala Police Award 'Silver Cross Medal' to Korean National Police Agency... Achievements in 'Security Hallyu'

Oh Ik-jun, head of the Korean Wave Security Division at the National Police Agency (center), who attended the opening ceremony of the Guatemala Police Duty Training Center in September, is receiving the Silver Cross Medal from the Guatemala police.
[Photo by National Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Police Agency, which has been working to strengthen Guatemala's public security capabilities, received the highest grade award, the 'Silver Cross Medal,' from the local police. This recognition came as a result of the ongoing security cooperation efforts, including the recent opening of the 'Police Duty Training Center' in Guatemala through collaboration between the National Police Agency and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

On the 1st, the National Police Agency announced that the Chief of the Guatemala National Police awarded the Silver Cross Medal to the agency and presented a separate plaque of appreciation to Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong. Notably, the Silver Cross Medal is known as the highest honor issued by the Chief of the Guatemala National Police.

The medal presentation took place alongside the inauguration ceremony of the Guatemala Police Duty Training Center held on the 16th of last month. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking local officials, including the Minister of the Interior and the Chief of Police of Guatemala, demonstrating significant interest.

Korean police have spared no effort in supporting the enhancement of Guatemala police's public security capabilities. Since 2014, the National Police Agency and KOICA have invested $3.8 million to build the Police Duty Training Center to establish a police education system aimed at strengthening Guatemala's security capabilities. The center is equipped with educational facilities such as a forensic science laboratory, a virtual crime scene training room, classrooms, and conference rooms, as well as convenience facilities including a trainee cafeteria and dormitory.

Silver Cross Medal received by the National Police Agency from the Guatemala Police.
[Photo by National Police Agency]

In particular, the virtual crime scene training room was designed by benchmarking the forensic science training center of the Korean National Police Agency to provide education similar to that in Korea. Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted face-to-face exchanges, the center is equipped with a video editing room and video conferencing equipment to enable remote, non-face-to-face education. Additionally, domestically produced forensic equipment, such as the latest ultraviolet (UV)-LED light sources used for fingerprint development, was supplied to support optimal evidence analysis.

Not only facilities and equipment but also the transfer of Korean public security technology was actively carried out. Training was conducted in eight fields including forensic science, educational administration, and anti-corruption. Furthermore, to ensure sustainable security policies through cooperation among three Central American countries, three 'Korea-Central America Integration System (SICA)' security capability enhancement conferences were held. Alejandro Giammattei, President of Guatemala, expressed gratitude to the Korean government, stating, "This project will be an important opportunity to strengthen security cooperation between Korea and Guatemala."

Security cooperation with Guatemala is expected to yield tangible benefits such as enhancing Korea's status in the Latin American region, protecting overseas nationals, strengthening international cooperation, and exporting security industry products. The National Police Agency plans to expand bilateral security cooperation by discovering follow-up projects.

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