Members of the People Power Party on the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee voiced strong criticism on September 2 regarding the prolonged vacancy of the police chief position, calling it "an abnormal situation."
Kang Myung-gu, the opposition's committee representative, held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "The position has been vacant for 21 months since the suspension of former Chief Jo Ji-ho in December 2024, which amounts to 630 days."
Kang raised concerns after the government replaced 14 out of 18 provincial police chiefs and made significant changes to 28 senior police positions, yet the appointment of a new police chief was excluded from these changes.
"The newly appointed deputy chief is once again taking on the acting role. This is the third time we have had an acting chief without a formal leader, following Lee Ho-young and Yoo Jae-sung," he said. "Shouldn't we have appointed a leader for the police, which is responsible for public safety?"
The People Power Party members pointed out that the lack of a police chief has left no one accountable to manage the aftermath of major incidents, such as the murder of a high school girl in Gwangju and the false conclusion of a missing person report in Jeju, which have heightened public anxiety. They emphasized the need for a formal commander to stabilize the organization.
Additionally, they highlighted the impending abolition of the prosecution office next month, which will usher in an era of a "giant police force," yet there is no commanding authority to oversee and control this power. They expressed concerns about the weakening of discipline within the police organization and the breakdown of internal control.
Kang urged President Lee Jae-myung to publicly explain the reasons for maintaining the acting police chief system for over eight months, stating, "If any incidents occur during this unprotected state, the ultimate responsibility lies solely with President Lee, who has the appointment authority."
He called for the Minister of the Interior and Safety to promptly initiate the process of appointing a new police chief. The People Power Party members reiterated their strong condemnation of the vacancy in the police chief position, vowing to hold the government accountable until it provides a responsible answer to the public.
Kang Myung-gu, the opposition's committee representative, held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "The position has been vacant for 21 months since the suspension of former Chief Jo Ji-ho in December 2024, which amounts to 630 days."
Kang raised concerns after the government replaced 14 out of 18 provincial police chiefs and made significant changes to 28 senior police positions, yet the appointment of a new police chief was excluded from these changes.
"The newly appointed deputy chief is once again taking on the acting role. This is the third time we have had an acting chief without a formal leader, following Lee Ho-young and Yoo Jae-sung," he said. "Shouldn't we have appointed a leader for the police, which is responsible for public safety?"
The People Power Party members pointed out that the lack of a police chief has left no one accountable to manage the aftermath of major incidents, such as the murder of a high school girl in Gwangju and the false conclusion of a missing person report in Jeju, which have heightened public anxiety. They emphasized the need for a formal commander to stabilize the organization.
Additionally, they highlighted the impending abolition of the prosecution office next month, which will usher in an era of a "giant police force," yet there is no commanding authority to oversee and control this power. They expressed concerns about the weakening of discipline within the police organization and the breakdown of internal control.
Kang urged President Lee Jae-myung to publicly explain the reasons for maintaining the acting police chief system for over eight months, stating, "If any incidents occur during this unprotected state, the ultimate responsibility lies solely with President Lee, who has the appointment authority."
He called for the Minister of the Interior and Safety to promptly initiate the process of appointing a new police chief. The People Power Party members reiterated their strong condemnation of the vacancy in the police chief position, vowing to hold the government accountable until it provides a responsible answer to the public.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.