Ahead of the National Police Chiefs Meeting... Seoul Police Commissioner Urges "Please Judge Calmly"

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] As police chiefs nationwide express opposition to the establishment of the Police Bureau ahead of their meeting, Kim Gwang-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, urged careful consideration.

On the 22nd, Commissioner Kim sent a text message to police chiefs in Seoul and those at the superintendent level, saying, "Please calmly judge and reflect from the public’s perspective on what the path and direction are to gain the trust and support of the people."

Commissioner Kim added, "On the 23rd, a large-scale rally with about 5,000 people gathering in Seoul and various other situations are scheduled. If even a small disruption occurs in our core duties, I am concerned that your sincere intentions to secure police neutrality and accountability may be distorted when conveyed to the public." He also stated, "For the future and development of the police organization, I believe there is more work for us to do now than ever before."

Yoon Hee-geun, the nominee for Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, also discouraged holding the nationwide police chiefs’ meeting. In an email sent the previous day to police chiefs and superintendents nationwide, Yoon said, "There are considerable concerns being raised about the nationwide superintendent-level meeting scheduled for this weekend. Please carefully consider that cautious judgment and execution are required."

Police chiefs and superintendents nationwide plan to proceed with the meeting as scheduled on the 23rd. Ryu Sam-young, Chief Superintendent of Ulsan Jungbu Police Station, who proposed the nationwide police chiefs’ meeting, stated that day, "Even in the superintendent group chat, the atmosphere is that the establishment of the Police Bureau must never proceed. It is a serious issue that would set history back by 30 years, so we want to gather and discuss it."

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