Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "Aiming for a 'Great Leap Forward' in Public Safety and Police Development Beyond Daily Recovery"

Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong of the National Police Agency. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated in his New Year's address on the 31st, "2022 marks the second year of 'Police Reform Felt by the People,'" and added, "Let us all strive together toward a 'great leap forward' in public safety and police development, beyond mere daily recovery."

Reflecting on the past year, Commissioner Kim said, "We opened a monumental first chapter in police history together." The police faced a period of great upheaval with reforms such as investigative authority reform and the introduction of the autonomous police system.

Commissioner Kim also mentioned that there is much to be done in the new year. He stated, "The rapidly increasing cybercrime has emerged as a major source of anxiety, and it is urgent to expand and solidify the infrastructure supporting the police's new system and hardware," adding, "It is also necessary to reflect with a sense of crisis to ensure that incidents of improper handling of duties that failed to properly protect the public never happen again."

He emphasized, "Above all, we must not forget that the police's foremost mission is 'public safety,'" and highlighted proactive and preventive police activities. Specifically, he called for attention to socially vulnerable groups, pedestrian-centered traffic policies, and optimal police activities tailored to the needs of residents.

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of "fair processes and outcomes without cheating or shortcuts." Commissioner Kim said, "We must empathize with the desperate feelings of victims and pursue heinous crimes with resolute determination until the end, spreading the awareness that 'those who break the law will surely be punished.'"

He also made remarks mindful of controversies over inadequate police responses. Commissioner Kim emphasized, "Above all, the most important thing is to become prepared security experts who can protect the public in any dangerous situation," and added, "In uncertain situations where we cannot foresee even an inch ahead, what we can rely on is continuous education and repetitive training." He continued, "We must critically review past work methods and systems, improve practical response capabilities, and confidently exercise police power appropriate to the situation to firmly protect citizens in danger, as well as ourselves and our colleagues."

Commissioner Kim also promised improvements in field conditions, saying, "Furthermore, we will enhance the honor of being a uniformed officer and create better working conditions so that police officers can take pride in their profession," and "We will do our utmost to improve insufficient treatment on the front lines and ensure that dedication is properly recognized and rewarded."

Quoting the classical idiom Jipsagwangik (集思廣益), meaning "Gathering thoughts increases benefits," Commissioner Kim said, "Let us unite the wisdom and capabilities of all 140,000 police officers and vigorously leap forward in 2022 as 'the safest country and a police force respected and loved by all.'"

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