[2021 National Audit] Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "Nationwide Anger Over Real Estate Speculation Crimes... Eradicate Rule-Breaking and Evasion"

"Goal to Become a Top 10 Global Integrity Police Force by 2032"

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, appeared at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of the National Police Agency held on the 5th at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and took the oath as a witness. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwanju] Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, expressed his determination on the 5th at the National Police Agency’s audit to focus on protecting public safety amid the COVID-19 situation and promoting proactive and preventive police activities.

The National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee began the audit of the National Police Agency on the morning of the same day at the police headquarters in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

In his opening remarks, Commissioner Kim first mentioned the police’s efforts to maintain stable public order alongside major changes this year. He stated, “With the institutionalization of police reform, the national police system that had been maintained for 75 years has fundamentally changed, and due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the daily lives of the people and the security environment are also rapidly changing. We have recognized the heavy responsibilities entrusted by the people and the times and have made our best efforts to protect the values of ‘safety’ and ‘fairness’ in our society,” reflecting on the situation.

Commissioner Kim emphasized preventive police activities, saying, “The police are proactively and preventively eliminating signs and risk factors of crime ahead of time and building a comprehensive safety net that strongly protects the vulnerable.” He cited specific examples such as early detection of children at risk of abuse, introduction of undercover investigations for digital sex crimes, enactment of the Stalking Punishment Act, improvement of personal protection systems, and expansion of restorative police activities.

He particularly acknowledged the many ‘unfair’ issues this year, such as crimes infringing on the common people’s economy like voice phishing and real estate speculation cases, stating, “New types of crimes such as telephone financial fraud and virtual asset crimes have infringed on the common people’s economy, and real estate speculation crimes using insider information have angered the entire nation. The police are strictly and consistently enforcing the law based solely on law and principles, eradicating illegality, corruption, unfairness, and loopholes,” he emphasized.

Efforts to ensure internal integrity were also highlighted. Commissioner Kim said, “With the goal of becoming one of the world’s top 10 most transparent police forces by 2032, we are preparing comprehensive and fundamental anti-corruption measures and have pledged a ‘human rights police vision’ to completely dispel concerns about police power abuse in front of the public. We are also dedicating ourselves to institutional improvements so that police officers equipped with expertise in public safety can respond optimally in any situation and receive appropriate rewards and legal protection for actively performing their duties,” he stated.

Regarding this year’s major changes such as investigation authority adjustments and the implementation of autonomous police, he positively evaluated, “Since the reform of investigative authority, we have been enhancing the completeness of closed cases and strengthening internal and external control mechanisms to secure fairness and accountability in police investigations. The autonomous police system, fully implemented last July, is also promoting tailored policies by region and demonstrating activities optimized for residents’ lives.”

Commissioner Kim concluded, “Even if the system changes and the organization transforms, the goal of police activities remains the same: to protect the safety and human rights of the people and to realize fairness and justice in society. All 140,000 police officers will continuously renew and develop themselves to surely meet the expectations of the people and vigorously leap forward as ‘the safest country and the police respected and loved by all,’” he emphasized.