Different Voices... Yoon Hee-geun "Building Consensus," Journalists' Association "Difference of Opinion" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Yoon Hee-geun, the nominee for Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, said on the 21st after meeting with the delegation of the National Police Workplace Council (Jikhyup), "We reached a consensus that we share the same goals." This contrasts with the Jikhyup side's claim that there was a deadlock due to differences in opinion.

After the 'National Jikhyup Representatives Meeting' held at the National Police Agency in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the same day, Yoon told reporters, "We shared thoughts on what the police should do for the people regardless of rank." He added, "I heard vivid stories from the field." The meeting started at 11 a.m. and lasted for more than four hours until around 3:20 p.m.

Regarding the National Police Commission's criticism the day before that there were procedural flaws in the draft regulation on the Commissioner General's command under the Minister of the Interior and Safety, Yoon said, "I believe the National Police Commission can certainly express such opinions," but added, "It would not be appropriate for me to respond to the National Police Commission's criticism." About the 'National Police Chiefs Meeting' planned by police officers at the superintendent level on the 23rd in protest against the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, he said, "I believe various voices can be expressed freely," but added, "Whether that is the best course of action needs to be reviewed."

After the meeting, the National Police Agency told the press corps, "The participants positively evaluated that Nominee Yoon listened to the opinions of the Jikhyup side and seriously responded regarding the progress of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's working-level consultative body discussions and the development plans for the police." They also explained that it was a sincere occasion for participants to exchange honest opinions about police development plans.

On the other hand, Min Gwan-gi, the representative of the Jikhyup from the Chungbuk Police Agency who attended the meeting, said, "There were differences of opinion regarding the Police Bureau, and it seems we ran on parallel lines." However, he added, "It seems there was positive consideration regarding the internal field officers' suggestions and the parts the Ministry of the Interior and Safety promised to address." The Ministry of the Interior and Safety parts mentioned by Min refer to long-standing police demands such as the increase in public security rank salaries and the multiple rank system.

Min firmly maintained his opposition to the establishment of the Police Bureau. He said, "The Police Bureau is a controversial issue under current law," and "We will continue to oppose it." However, he added, "Regarding what to do after the establishment of the Police Bureau, the police leadership and field officers should discuss and respond accordingly." The Jikhyup plans to conduct a public campaign opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau at Seoul Station and Yongsan Station from the 25th to the 29th.

The meeting was arranged after the police leadership, focusing on resolving internal confusion caused by the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, proposed a communication opportunity to the Jikhyup side, which had strongly opposed it through actions such as head shaving and fasting. Ten people, including nominee Yoon, attended from the police leadership side. On the Jikhyup side, 20 representatives elected from each city and provincial police agency Jikhyup, led by Chairman Yeo Ik-hwan of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Jikhyup, participated.

Before the meeting, Yoon said in his opening remarks, "I will closely examine the process of the new operating system so that the basic values of the police system, neutrality and responsibility, are not compromised," and "There has been much deliberation while organizing and discussing our National Police Agency's stance on police system improvement." He added, "Although we could not fully meet your expectations, there are aspects where our opinions were substantially reflected."

Regarding the Jikhyup representatives' opposition through head shaving, fasting, and the three-step, one-bow protest against the establishment of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Police Bureau, Yoon said, "Seeing our colleagues who maintain public order directly take to the streets in the heatwave made me feel an immense sense of responsibility." He continued, "Although the methods of expression differ, I understand that all stem from deep loyalty to the police and a sense of duty as police officers."

Yoon promised, "I will devote all my remaining police career to realizing long-standing demands that have remained slogans until now as soon as possible and to making each and every one of you feel pride as uniformed officers." The long-standing demands Yoon mentioned include the increase in public security rank salaries and the multiple rank system. He also sincerely requested, "Now, please trust the leadership and gather the energy you have shown during the discussions for a better future of the police."

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