Sangmin Lee: "If a Candidate Pool for Police Chief Is Needed, I Will Meet in Advance" (Comprehensive)

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min (right) is moving to meet with National Police Agency Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong (behind) at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min visited the National Police Agency in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on the 9th, saying, "I came to have a meeting with the leadership and exchange some kind words."

The minister arrived at the National Police Agency around 3:55 p.m. and, when asked by reporters about the purpose of his visit, said, "It has been almost a month since I took office." Earlier, Minister Lee had caused controversy last month by holding preliminary interviews with candidates for the next National Police Agency Commissioner, leading to various interpretations of his actions this time. Regarding this, he said, "As far as I know, the candidates for the National Police Agency Commissioner have not yet been decided. The people I met were candidates for the Senior Superintendent General rank, and before making personnel recommendations, it is impossible to evaluate them based only on documents, so I met them in person to discuss various matters." He added, "It was a meeting to assess their suitability as Senior Superintendent General candidates, and the criteria for the National Police Agency Commissioner require verification and review on a different level."

Regarding the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's recent formation of an advisory committee for police system improvement and discussions about establishing a Police Bureau as an organization to assign and execute police affairs under the minister's office, he drew a clear line, saying, "I have not communicated with the advisory committee." He elaborated, "I understand that the advisory committee is independently identifying discussion topics. Once results come out, we will discuss them again." On criticisms that the ministry's moves to control the police are excessive, Minister Lee said, "I think it is a matter of a different dimension."

After meeting with National Police Agency Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong, when asked by reporters whether additional interviews for the police commissioner candidates would be conducted, he replied, "If necessary, they should be conducted," adding, "Because the qualifications must differ and the subjects are different." Regarding the current situation showing signs of conflict between the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency over police authority, he said, "We are seeking various advice and opinions." The meeting ended around 5 p.m., about 20 minutes longer than originally scheduled. Minister Lee said about this, "There was no special reason. We just talked and shared a time of fellowship."

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