Tomorrow's Confirmation Hearing for Candidate Yoon Hee-geun... Police Bureau and Police University Are Key Issues

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The National Assembly confirmation hearing for Yoon Hee-geun, the nominee for Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, will be held on the 8th. Yoon, who served as the Deputy Commissioner General, has been preparing for the hearing while acting as the Commissioner General following the voluntary resignation of former Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong in June.

This hearing is expected to focus on the establishment of the Police Bureau and reforms of the Korean National Police University. These have been major issues surrounding the police since Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min took office in May. Previously, Minister Lee ordered the formation of an advisory committee on police system improvements on May 13, the day after his inauguration, and based on the committee’s recommendations, the Police Bureau was established on the 2nd of this month. During this process, the Police University was identified as a specific faction opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau, and intentions for reform were expressed. These two issues have sharply divided opinions both within the police and between ruling and opposition parties to this day.

Regarding the Police Bureau, Yoon stated in his written response submitted to the National Assembly that it was "established to support the authority guaranteed to the Minister of the Interior and Safety under the Police Act." He emphasized, "We will closely monitor to ensure that the neutrality of the police is not compromised in the future operation of the system." This stance essentially aligns with the government and ruling party’s position.

On the issue of the Police University, Yoon said in his written response, "We have collected various internal and external opinions on the Korean National Police University and conducted in-depth discussions to promote strong reforms." He added, "We will strive to establish the Police University as an institution that the public can broadly support." Since Yoon himself is a graduate of the Police University, there is interest in what answers he will provide at the hearing, but for now, he appears to have taken a principled stance.

The disciplinary appropriateness of Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-young, a Police University alumnus who was placed on standby after leading a nationwide police chiefs’ meeting, is also expected to be a key issue at the hearing. Yoon stated in his written response, "The act of disobeying the Commissioner General’s official orders is being judged as a violation of the National Public Officials’ Service Regulations, and an internal investigation is currently underway." He added, "Appropriate measures will be taken based on the investigation results."

While the hearing will revolve around these issues, Yoon is reportedly planning to actively explain the police’s core duties related to public safety. In particular, he plans to emphasize policies addressing pressing public concerns such as the special crackdown on jeonse fraud?a type of rental scam?that President Yoon Seok-yeol has stressed strict enforcement on, as well as the recent rise in drug offenders. Since the special crackdowns on jeonse fraud and drug offenders were policy issues Yoon initiated as acting Commissioner General, they are expected to be promoted as key projects.

Yoon, a native of Cheongju, Chungbuk, entered the police force as part of the 7th class of the Korean National Police University. He is known as an "intelligence expert," having served as head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Intelligence Division, Public Safety Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Division, Policy Officer for Autonomous Police Cooperation at the National Police Agency, and Director of the Security Bureau. After being promoted to Senior Superintendent in December last year, he was rapidly promoted to Senior Commissioner in less than six months, and then nominated as Commissioner General, marking an unprecedented promotion trajectory. Following the confirmation hearing, Yoon will be inaugurated as the 23rd Commissioner General of the National Police Agency. Since the Commissioner General is not subject to a National Assembly plenary vote, the President can appoint him even if the National Assembly does not adopt the confirmation hearing report.

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