Held at Asan Police Human Resources Development Institute that protected Wuhan residents
Honoring late Chief Superintendent Lee Jun-gyu and late Inspector Yoo Jae-guk as 'Police Heroes'
Video connection with police officers guarding the extreme end of South Korean territory
Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "A leap toward a respected and beloved police force"
President Moon Jae-in is leading the singing of the national anthem at the 75th Police Day ceremony held on the 21st at the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan, Chungnam. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 21st, a commemorative ceremony for the '75th Police Day' was held at the Chungnam Asan Police Human Resources Development Institute, which transported and protected Korean residents from Wuhan, China, at the early stage of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) outbreak. The ceremony, held under the theme 'We are the Korean Police,' was scaled down to 130 participants compared to previous years in consideration of the COVID-19 situation.
During the ceremony, tributes were paid to the late Chief Superintendent Lee Jun-gyu and the late Inspector Yoo Jae-guk, who were selected as this year's police heroes. Chief Superintendent Lee protected citizens' lives by refusing the martial law troops' unjust orders for harsh suppression during the May 18 Democratic Movement, and Inspector Yoo died in the line of duty in February this year while heroically rescuing people in the Han River.
In the awards for meritorious service, Kim Jong-beom, Chief Superintendent and Head of the Investigation Division at Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency, received the Green Stripes Order of Merit; Choi Myung-sook, Administrative Officer (Grade 7) at the National Police Agency's Forensic Science Management Office, received the Order of Service Merit; and Jung Da-woon, Police Inspector at Seodaemun Police Station, received the Presidential Citation. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Maesan District Unit of Suwon West Police Station were awarded the Presidential Group Citation.
A special event reflecting the determination to realize 'Smart Policing,' which offers a glimpse into the future of policing, was also prepared. The opening video and national ceremony involved on-site police officers and local residents protecting Korea’s southwesternmost island Gageodo, southernmost island Marado, and easternmost island Dokdo. In particular, using the next-generation wireless communication network (Disaster Safety Communication Network) successfully operated by the police, the Gageodo site was connected in real time, and Inspector Kim Jeong-gyu, stationed at Gageo Police Substation, recited the Pledge of Allegiance on site. Additionally, Police Corporal Lee Do-yoon of the Dokdo Guard read poet Moon Jeong-hee’s 'Engraving the Name in the Heart of the Homeland' hung on the memorial monument at the Police Memorial Park during a moment of silence. A counterterrorism tactical demonstration by the police special forces was also held, assuming a scenario where an international terrorist organization attacks Korea’s COVID-19 vaccine research institute. The demonstration included the deployment of 'Chamsuri,' a domestically produced helicopter introduced by the National Police Agency for the first time among government agencies.
In his greeting, National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong said, "We will surely complete police reform by embracing the public will contained in the adjustment of investigative authority," and added, "Based on the achievements of police reform, we will secure a higher level of safety and leap forward as a 'respected and beloved police force.'"
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