'Led by the Chief Inspector Meeting' Ryu Sam-yeong Appointed as Head of 112 Team at Gyeongnam Police Agency... Police Chief Inspector Transfers Announced

Personnel Changes for 344 People Announced

On the 27th, the National Police Agency executed a transfer personnel reshuffle involving 344 police superintendents, effective from the 31st.

Ryu Sam-yeong, the Security Director of Ulsan Police Agency, who led the nationwide police superintendents' meeting opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety last July and was disciplined with a three-month suspension, has been transferred to the position of Situation Team Leader at the 112 Comprehensive Security Situation Room of Gyeongnam Police Agency in this reshuffle.

The 112 Situation Team Leader positions at provincial police agencies were previously held by police inspectors until last year, but with the introduction of multiple superintendent ranks this year, superintendent-level officers have also been appointed. However, within the police force, this move is interpreted as a demotion. In the personnel reshuffle in February, many attendees of the superintendent meeting were also assigned as 112 Situation Team Leaders at provincial police agencies. Superintendent Ryu is scheduled to announce his position regarding this personnel reshuffle at 10 a.m. on the 31st at the Police Memorial Park.

Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-yeong. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Yoon Gyu-geun, a superintendent who was called the so-called "Police Chief" during the 2019 Burning Sun scandal, has been transferred to the position of Security Director at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The Security Director visits police stations within the jurisdiction of provincial police agencies to inspect service discipline and other duties, but the position is also assigned to officers undergoing internal affairs investigations, investigations, or trials. Superintendent Yoon is reportedly under investigation by the National Police Agency's internal affairs for allegations of abuse of power against staff members. Similarly, Ryu Mi-jin, who was on duty as the Situation Manager at Seoul Police Agency during the Itaewon tragedy last year, has also been assigned as Security Director at Seoul Police Agency.

Meanwhile, many staff members at the National Police Agency will also be replaced in this reshuffle. Kim Yong-hwan, Chief of Taean Police Station in Chungnam, will become the Human Rights Protection Officer at the National Police Agency, and Lee Jin-su, Chief of Nowon Police Station in Seoul, will be appointed as the Investigation Planning Officer. Eleven superintendents, including Kim Jong-pil, Security Director at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency who will move to the Autonomous Police Planning Department at the National Police Agency, will newly serve at the National Police Agency.

Among the 31 police chiefs in Seoul, nine will be replaced. Bin Jung-seok, Situation Team Leader at the Police Situation Management Office of the National Police Agency, will move to become the Chief of Jongno Police Station, and Kim Chan-su, Head of the Intelligence Analysis Division at the National Police Agency, will become the Chief of Yeongdeungpo Police Station. The police plan to announce promotions and transfers for ranks of Senior Superintendent and above around mid-next month, completing the regular personnel reshuffle for senior positions.