Jeon Hae-cheol: "An Important Time... We Will Do What Is Necessary for the Success of the Moon Government"

Jeon Hae-cheol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who has been appointed as the new Minister of the Interior and Safety, is entering the main building of the National Assembly following the cabinet reshuffle announcement on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Jeon Hae-cheol, the nominee for Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, expressed his ambition to carry out COVID-19 prevention, decentralization of local government, and police reform without any setbacks, saying, "I feel a great sense of responsibility as I am entrusted with an important task."

On the afternoon of the 4th, Jeon met with reporters at the National Assembly Intelligence Committee Chairman's office and said, "I feel a great sense of responsibility as I am entrusted with an important task during a critical period of the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "I will fulfill the role of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which is responsible for COVID-19 prevention and overall disaster safety."

He said, "Personally, I have been very interested in local autonomy and decentralization, including finance," and added, "I will carry out various roles of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety well, including government innovation through inter-ministerial cooperation."

Regarding next year's by-elections, he said, "As the ministry responsible for election management, we will, of course, manage them strictly and neutrally."

On police reform, he said, "If the Police Agency Act centered on the autonomous police system passes the National Assembly, it is important for the police to properly play their role in adjusting investigative rights with the prosecution," adding, "I will prepare police reform without any setbacks so that the autonomous police system can be properly implemented."

Regarding being initially mentioned as the next Minister of Justice but being nominated as Minister of the Interior and Safety, he said, "Since I am not the appointing authority, it does not seem appropriate for me to comment," and added, "If I prepare well for the confirmation hearing and pass, I will perform the given role well."

In response to being the first to enter the cabinet as one of the '3 Cheol,' referring to the three original close aides of President Moon?former Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Lee Ho-cheol and former Director of the Democratic Research Institute Yang Jeong-cheol, with whom he worked at the Blue House during the Roh Moo-hyun administration?he said, "It is difficult to evaluate myself, but doing what is necessary for the success of the Moon Jae-in government is how I will live up to expectations."