Jung Bong-hoon Appointed as New Deputy Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard

Jung Bong-hoon, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Jeong Bong-hoon (58), the deputy commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard.

According to the Coast Guard on the 3rd, President Moon Jae-in promoted Deputy Commissioner Jeong, who holds the rank of Police Superintendent General, to Police Commissioner General and appointed him as the Commissioner of the Coast Guard.

The new Commissioner Jeong became the second head from the Coast Guard since the enforcement of the Korea Coast Guard Act last year, following former Commissioner Kim Hong-hee.

The Korea Coast Guard Act, which clearly defines the basic organization and scope of duties of the Coast Guard, stipulates that the Commissioner of the Coast Guard with the rank of Police Commissioner General must be a national police officer who has served in the Coast Guard for more than 15 years, and can only be appointed if currently serving or previously served as an officer of Police Superintendent General rank or higher.

This effectively blocks cases where a Police Superintendent General from the land police is promoted to become the Commissioner of the Coast Guard.

Jeong, the new Commissioner, who is from Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, graduated from Yeosu High School and Korea Maritime University, and joined the Coast Guard in 1994 as part of the 42nd cadre candidate class.

He has served as the Chief of Seogwipo Coast Guard Station in Jeju, Chief of Ulsan Coast Guard Station, Director of Search and Rescue Division at the Coast Guard Headquarters, Maritime Police Policy Officer at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Director of the Coast Guard Security Bureau, and Chief of the West Sea Coast Guard.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard plans to hold the inauguration ceremony for the new Commissioner Jeong at 3 p.m. on the 6th in the main auditorium of the headquarters located in Songdo International City, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. Earlier that morning, a retirement ceremony for former Commissioner Kim Hong-hee will be held.