[New Year's Address] Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "The First Year of Police Reform Felt by the People... Towards a 'Respected and Beloved Police'"

by Lee Gwanju

Published 31 Dec.2020 18:00(KST)

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated on the 31st, "We will make this year the inaugural year of police reform that the public can feel and show the people a clearly changed image of the police."

In his New Year's address announced that day, Commissioner Kim referred to the great transformation of the police with the implementation of the adjustment of investigative authority between prosecutors and police, the introduction of the autonomous police system, and the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters as "a moving moment opening the first page of a grand police history," and said, "Let us open a new horizon for the Korean police together."

Commissioner Kim presented the four-character idiom "Ubo Manri (牛步萬里)," meaning "a cow's pace covers ten thousand miles," as a motto, and prayed, "In the year of the cow, which represents steadfastness and driving force, I hope it will be a year to challenge tomorrow sincerely and confidently."

Looking back on the past year, Commissioner Kim evaluated, "Undoubtedly, 2020 will be recorded as a more important and urgent period than any other year both domestically and internationally," and praised the efforts of on-site police officers who were active in quarantine sites such as the transfer of Wuhan evacuees and rapid response teams.

In particular, regarding the historic implementation of the adjustment of investigative authority, Commissioner Kim emphasized, "The police will bear a heavy responsibility as the full subject of investigations," and said, "Now is the time for practice and proof." He added, "Above all, we must devote all our efforts to securing daily peace by removing the causes of crime one step ahead."

Commissioner Kim mentioned the late Sergeant Lee Seong-rim (29), who died in the line of duty during traffic duty, saying, "I was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow at the loss of a hero on the scene," and promised, "To ensure that such pain and sorrow never happen again, we will thoroughly inspect and improve the working environment and safety measures on the front lines."

Finally, Commissioner Kim urged, "Let us start the first workday of the new year with a desperate determination and indomitable will to set a shining milestone in police history," and encouraged, "Let us soar high as a ‘respected and beloved police’ in a virtuous cycle where sincerity, fairness, and responsibility firmly engraved in our hearts lead to public recognition, empathy, and trust."