Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "Will Prove Opposition's Concerns Were Groundless"

"Police to Ensure 'Neutrality and Accountability' Maintained"
Promises to Boost Morale with Incentives

[Asia Economy Reporters Seongpil Cho, Sehee Jang] Yoon Hee-geun, the new Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated on the 10th that the reconsideration of the dispatch of Kim Soon-ho, Director of the Police Bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is "a matter decided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety."

Commissioner Yoon made this remark in response to questions from the press during his visit to the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul in the afternoon, marking his first official duty after taking office. Director Kim is under suspicion of having been specially recruited by the police after informing on his colleagues from the Incheon-Bucheon Democratic Workers' Association (Innohoe) in 1989.

Regarding internal conflicts related to the establishment of the Police Bureau, he said, "Currently, the Police Bureau is an organization that assists the Minister of the Interior and Safety in legally exercising authority," adding, "We will ensure that there are no further concerns among the public and the 140,000 police officers by upholding the neutrality and responsibility of the police."

He also stated, "During my tenure, I will make sure that police officers can work confidently without worrying about others' opinions," and "The Commissioner and the command will be a support system that allows competent police officers to work freely." He added, "I will show that the concerns raised by the opposition party were unfounded."

Regarding the recent increase in drug offenders, he emphasized, "Because drugs are easily distributed through social networking services (SNS) and virtual asset dark web, even teenagers are exposed to drugs without protection," and said, "The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will strengthen crackdowns centered on the head of the investigation department, who leads the task force (TF), to achieve visible results."

Later, Commissioner Yoon held a meeting with staff and said, "Murder is not only taking a person's life with a weapon but also malicious fraud crimes that destroy a family's life are 'economic murder,'" and pledged, "During my term, I will definitely eradicate malicious fraud crimes such as jeonse fraud and voice phishing that threaten people's livelihoods." He promised to promptly increase administrative support personnel for investigators and to promote incentive measures to boost morale.

Commissioner Yoon is scheduled to visit Suseo Police Station, Daechi Police Substation, and Dogok Police Substation to encourage staff.

Earlier, President Yoon Suk-yeol approved Commissioner Yoon's appointment and presented the appointment letter on the same day. Although the personnel hearing report was not adopted on the 8th due to opposition from the Democratic Party of Korea, it is reported that President Yoon pushed forward with the appointment, fearing a security vacuum.