Kim Yong-jin Appointed as Commissioner of Korea Coast Guard: "Advancing Future Strategies, Strengthening Coast Guard Capabilities"

Kim Yong-jin, the new Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, took office on the 10th. Commissioner Kim skipped the scheduled inauguration ceremony and began full-scale duties as the head of the Central Rescue Headquarters for the search and rescue operation of the sunken fishing vessel in the Yeosu sea area, Jeollanam-do.

On the same day, through a nationwide meeting of maritime security agency heads, he expressed condolences regarding the Yeosu sea area fishing vessel sinking accident and promised to do his utmost in searching for the missing persons. He urged frontline commanders to "protect the sea without any gaps and ensure maritime safety during this more serious time than ever."

Kim Yong-jin, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard. Photo by Korea Coast Guard

In his inaugural address delivered to all coast guard officers nationwide, Commissioner Kim emphasized, "We must be faithful to the basics and principles centered on the field," and urged, "Let us become a more trusted Korea Coast Guard through communication and cooperation."

He continued, "Considering that the maritime hegemony competition is linked with advanced technology and is a crucial period determining the future, we will advance future strategies and further strengthen the capabilities of the Coast Guard," and stressed, "We will also devote efforts to creating strong teamwork through organizational culture innovation."

Commissioner Kim is from Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. He graduated from Yeongju Jungang High School and Seoul National University. After passing the 42nd Administrative Examination in 1998, he served as the head of the organizational management team at Seoul City Hall and joined the Korea Coast Guard in 2008 through a special recruitment as a superintendent.

Since then, he has held positions such as head of the Coast Guard organization team, spokesperson, personnel and education officer, chief of Ulsan Maritime Safety and Security Station, chief of Donghae Maritime Police Station, international cooperation officer, director of the security bureau, planning and coordination officer, deputy commissioner of the Coast Guard Headquarters, and commissioner of the Central Regional Coast Guard. From 2012 to 2013, during the Park Geun-hye administration, he was dispatched to the Blue House as a senior superintendent and worked in the Security Secretary’s Office.