Commissioner General of Police actively coordinating and promoting European tour for international criminal cooperation

by Cho Seongpill

Published 26 Apr.2022 12:37(KST)

Updated 26 Apr.2022 15:36(KST)

Agreement on the Protection of Nationals Residing in Europe

Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] It has been confirmed that Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is coordinating a tour schedule to the Netherlands, France, and Italy for international criminal cooperation. Initially, there were talks that Commissioner Kim would visit these countries at the end of this month to sign a working agreement.

According to the National Police Agency on the 26th, Commissioner Kim is coordinating schedules with the respective countries to visit The Hague, Netherlands, where Europol (European Union Law Enforcement Cooperation Agency) headquarters is located, as well as France and Italy. Previously, in December last year, the National Police Agency exchanged original copies of a working agreement to strengthen international cooperation with Europol. This was a comprehensive preliminary agreement stage for a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and although detailed contracts were needed afterward, the schedule was delayed due to the spread of Omicron, according to police officials.

This tour schedule is part of a business agreement to protect nationals residing in or traveling to Europe. It is also a strategic move for investigative cooperation regarding suspects who fled to Europe. This aligns with South Korea’s purpose of joining the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to promote rapid resolution of international crimes and the development of police agencies in each country through technical cooperation. To this end, our police reached a document-level agreement with Europol last year, but detailed coordination work such as establishing a Europol network for sharing criminal information remains. A police official said, "We are adjusting plans to create conditions where Korean police officers can work together locally in Europe."

Some criticism has arisen suggesting that Commissioner Kim is rushing this tour ahead of his term expiration in July. The Presidential Transition Committee also announced that it would request an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection regarding overseas business trips by ministerial and vice-ministerial officials at the end of the current administration’s term this month. The Commissioner of the National Police Agency corresponds to the vice-ministerial level. However, a police official stated, "We are only rescheduling the itinerary," adding, "Considering the related procedures, it is currently unknown when the timing will be."