Kim Seung-ryong Dismissed as Fire Agency Chief After Three-Week Probe... Choi Yong-cheol Appointed as New Deputy Commissioner

Kim Seung-ryong Dismissed Amid Overseas Trip Controversy
Choi Yong-cheol Appointed Acting Commissioner Starting June 15
Recognized for Rational Leadership That Values Communication and Harmony

Kim Seung-ryong, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, who had been under investigation by the presidential office over suspicions of overseas trips for personal gain, has resigned after just three months in office. Choi Yong-cheol, the Acting Head of the Gyeonggi Fire & Disaster Headquarters (as shown in the photo), has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner and will serve as Acting Commissioner.

According to fire authorities on June 13, President Lee Jae-myung accepted Commissioner Kim's voluntary resignation request the previous day.

This comes three weeks after the presidential office launched a prompt investigation into Commissioner Kim. At the time, the presidential office did not disclose the specific reasons for the probe, but it was reported that Kim was suspected of using emergency fire vehicles for personal purposes and of taking overseas trips for personal reasons.

An official from the National Fire Agency stated, "All suspicions under investigation have been explained. If the explanations had been insufficient, disciplinary procedures would have been initiated rather than a voluntary resignation," adding, "The resignation was submitted due to personal reasons."

Deputy Commissioner Choi will begin his duties on June 15. Born in 1970 in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, Choi graduated from Cheongju High School and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He holds a master's degree from Ajou University Graduate School of Public Policy, a master's degree from Oklahoma State University in the United States, and has completed a doctoral course at Kyonggi University Graduate School of Public Administration.

He joined the fire service in 1999 as a member of the 10th class of fire officer candidates and has since served as Chief of Gwangju Fire Station in Gyeonggi Province, Head of Sejong Fire Headquarters, Director of Response Management at the National Fire Agency, Acting Principal of the Central Fire Service Academy, and Head of Jeonnam Fire Headquarters, among other posts.

He is recognized for his field command abilities, work initiative, and administrative experience, as well as for showing rational leadership that values communication and harmony.

Deputy Commissioner Choi stated, "Based on mutual trust and professional expertise among employees, I will actively communicate with my colleagues," adding, "I will prioritize public safety as the highest value and do my utmost to implement proactive fire policies and establish thorough prevention and response systems to prepare for disasters."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.