Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is seen arriving at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 27th of last month. After arriving at work that day, Commissioner Kim tendered his resignation. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] President Yoon Seok-yeol, returning home on the 1st after completing a 3-night, 5-day schedule at the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit, is expected to decide soon whether to accept the resignation submitted by Police Commissioner General Kim Chang-ryong. Earlier, Kim had expressed his intention to resign on the 27th of last month, the day President Yoon departed for Spain.
According to a compilation of reports on the 2nd, President Yoon is expected to decide as early as the 4th whether to accept Kim's resignation. Since there are no disqualifying reasons for Kim's resignation, it is possible that it will be accepted, but there is also a strong possibility it could be rejected. Kim's expression of intent to resign was triggered by the reversal of the Police Superintendent General personnel appointments on the 21st of last month. At that time, President Yoon strongly reprimanded the police, calling it a "disorder of national discipline." When asked if this implied pressure for the Police Commissioner General to resign, he responded, "There is only one month left in the term; does that matter?" This can be interpreted as meaning that at this point, a thorough investigation into the personnel reversal incident is a priority over the resignation of the Police Commissioner General. However, the police have only explained this issue as 'customary practice' and have remained silent regarding any investigation. From President Yoon's perspective, he may reject Kim's resignation on the grounds of holding him accountable for this incident.
President Yoon's earlier collective rejection of resignations from senior Maritime Police officials, including Commissioner General Jeong Bong-hoon, also supports this analysis. At that time, Jeong and others submitted collective resignations if held responsible for the 'West Sea shooting of public officials' incident. However, the presidential office stated, "While we respect their sincere intentions, since the Board of Audit and Inspection is currently conducting an investigation, the collective resignations are rejected." Since the Board of Audit and Inspection is conducting audits on the Maritime Police and the Ministry of National Defense, the resignations cannot be accepted until conclusions are reached.
If President Yoon rejects Kim's resignation, internal opposition within the police is expected to intensify. Kim's expression of intent to resign is also closely related to internal organizational backlash against the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Police System Improvement Advisory Committee's recommendations for police control. However, the government is proceeding with the establishment of the so-called 'Police Bureau' within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, regardless of Kim's resignation. In this situation, if President Yoon also rejects Kim's resignation, it could become another 'catalyst' for police opposition.
Meanwhile, with President Yoon's return, it is anticipated that the nomination, confirmation hearing, and appointment process for the next Police Commissioner General will proceed swiftly. Currently, candidates for the next Police Commissioner General include Deputy Commissioner General Yoon Hee-geun, Seoul Police Commissioner Kim Kwang-ho, and Police University President Song Kyung-ae. The name of Busan Police Commissioner Woo Cheol-moon is also frequently mentioned, but the atmosphere inside and outside the police suggests his chances are lower compared to the three candidates mentioned earlier. However, since police personnel appointments have been unusual since the current administration began, the possibility of an unexpected nominee cannot be ruled out.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
