Park Jungbo, New Seoul Police Chief: "Building a Police Force That Earns Empathy Through Citizen-Centered Policing"

Park Jungbo, the 41st Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, emphasized, "I will build a Seoul police force that earns empathy and trust through citizen-centered policing that meets the expectations of the public."

Yonhap News Agency

At his inauguration ceremony held on the morning of September 29, Chief Park stated, "I have been entrusted with the grave responsibility of ensuring the safety of 10 million Seoul citizens," adding, "With the dream of creating a 'proud Seoul police force loved by the citizens,' I am honored to undertake this distinguished duty with a willing heart."

As practical measures for citizen-centered policing, he proposed: ▲ empathetic policing ▲ competent officers who find answers on the ground ▲ and warm-hearted officers who devote themselves even to small matters.

Chief Park remarked, "No matter how legitimate police actions may be, if citizens cannot empathize with them, their legitimacy will be diminished," and stressed, "We must constantly communicate with citizens and always listen closely to their voices."

He further added, "The answer to every problem lies in the field," pledging to "fully delegate discretion and authority to the field so officers can work with conviction, generously reward proactive work, and embrace and exempt officers from liability for incidents that may arise in the process."

Chief Park concluded, "The police are now facing many changes and difficult challenges. However, if we empathize with citizens, find answers on the ground with competence, and devote ourselves sincerely even to small matters, the Seoul police force can be reborn anew."

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