The 2nd Central Police Academy 'Relocated to Namwon'... Bipartisan Support from Ruling and Opposition Parties

'Police Talent Development' Hub
National Assembly Grand Debate on the 13th
Also Expanding Social Consensus

A major debate was held on the 13th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to promote the hosting of the 2nd Central Police Academy, a key training center for police talent, in Namwon City, Jeollabuk-do.

The debate was hosted by the Jeollabuk-do Provincial Party of the Democratic Party of Korea (Chairman Lee Won-taek) and the Jeollabuk-do Provincial Party of the People Power Party (Chairman Jo Bae-sook), and co-organized by Jeollabuk-do Province and Namwon City. Numerous lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, including Jeollabuk-do region members of the National Assembly, attended to support Namwon's locational advantages.

The goal of establishing the 2nd Central Police Academy is to cultivate specialized talent capable of responding to the rapidly changing security environment. In particular, Namwon is evaluated as the optimal location due to its geographical accessibility and the potential use of national land. Namwon, as a transportation hub connecting Yeongnam and Honam regions, boasts well-developed transportation infrastructure such as highways and KTX, making it easily accessible from all over the country.

On the 13th, a major debate was held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to promote the relocation of the 2nd Central Police Academy to Namwon-si, Jeonbuk. The photo shows about 1,000 residents of Jeonbuk performing a rally in front of the National Assembly building to support the relocation to Namwon. Provided by Jeonbuk Province

At the debate, Jang Il-sik, Deputy Director of the Autonomous Police Development Institute, emphasized the necessity and role of the 2nd Central Police Academy in his presentation. Following this, panel discussions included Professor Kang Ki-hong from Seoul National University of Science and Technology and Professor Kim Chang-yoon from Gyeongnam National University, who discussed the importance of police talent development and the need for an educational system. Additionally, Han Jeong-min, Policy Director of the Jeollabuk-do Police Workplace Council, proposed measures to strengthen police capabilities through the establishment of a lifelong learning system.

The attendees agreed on the necessity of hosting the academy in Namwon and pledged to actively convey this opinion to the National Police Agency and relevant government departments. About 1,000 residents of Jeollabuk-do held a performance in front of the National Assembly building to express their determination to support Namwon's hosting, raising social interest.

Jeollabuk-do plans to use the hosting of the 2nd Central Police Academy in Namwon to reduce regional disparities in police education and promote balanced regional development. To this end, the province will continuously highlight Namwon's economic feasibility and geographical advantages to the National Police Agency and political circles, emphasizing these strengths during policy decision-making processes.

Lee Won-taek, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's Jeollabuk-do Provincial Party, stated, "The People Power Party's Jeollabuk-do Provincial Party Chairman is also putting a lot of effort into attracting the 2nd Central Police Academy to Namwon. Namwon is a symbol of national balanced development, the most economically advantageous location, a place where Yeongnam and Honam come together, and where ruling and opposition parties cooperate. We will create an opportunity for Namwon to leap forward and develop once again."

Jo Bae-sook, Chairman of the People Power Party's Jeollabuk-do Provincial Party, emphasized, "Namwon has excellent locational conditions. It is a good alternative for revitalizing the local economy and creating jobs. Since both ruling and opposition parties are united in one mind, I believe it will succeed. We will also do our best to help."

Kim Dae-sik, Member of the National Assembly (People Power Party, Sasang District, Busan), said, "The hosting of the 2nd Central Police Academy is an issue between the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas. It is a truly important project like the Dalbit Expressway. I hope Namwon will gain good news and I will support it."

Lee Eon-ju, Chairperson of the Jeollabuk-do Autonomous Police Commission, expressed, "If the 2nd Central Police Academy is established in Namwon, it will help close the security infrastructure gap in the southern region of the metropolitan area and position Namwon as a core hub for balanced development. I hope various plans for attracting the academy to Namwon will be discovered through the debate."

Meanwhile, the debate was attended by People Power Party lawmakers Kwon Young-jin, Kim Dae-sik, Jo Bae-sook, Song Seok-jun, Park Soo-min, Kim Sang-wook, and Choi Eun-seok; Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Han Byung-do, Lee Chun-seok, Ahn Ho-young, Shin Young-dae, Lee Sang-sik, Heo Seong-mu, Kim Yoon-duk, Lee Won-taek, Lee Sung-yoon, and Park Hee-seung; and Innovation Party lawmaker Kang Kyung-sook. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lee Hak-young and Yun Seok-jung, President of the Homeland Movement Headquarters, also participated.