Police Reaffirm Their Charter: "Closer to the People, Stronger on the Foundation of Trust"

81st Police Day ceremony... reaffirming their mission and responsibility
Late officers Shim Yeonsu and Kim Seonhyeon honored as Police Heroes of the Year for saving citizens

Marking the 81st Police Day, the acting commissioner general and frontline officers recited the Police Charter. It was a pledge by the police, entering a new era of progress amid the transformation of the criminal justice system, to put the people first and protect them.

Kim Jongcheol, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, said at a Police Day ceremony held at 10 a.m. on October 21 at Chamsuri Hall at the agency’s headquarters, "Protecting the lives and safety of the people is the reason the police exist." He added, "We will be the first to respond when people face danger, take decisive action against crimes targeting vulnerable groups, and protect victims." He also stressed, "Through fair investigations that respect human rights, we will be a police force people can always trust and rely on."

Acting Commissioner General Kim Jongcheol recites the Police Charter at a ceremony marking the 81st Police Day at the Korean National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. Yonhap News Agency

Kim and 14 frontline officers recited the Police Charter together, affirming the fundamental values that police officers must uphold. They renewed their commitment to reflect on the police’s mission and responsibilities and put them into practice.

This year’s ceremony focused on reaffirming the police’s fundamental mission of protecting the lives and safety of the people, grounded in humble reflection, reform and renewal. About 500 people attended, including guests and police officials.

In particular, this year the ceremony’s theme was divided into a main slogan conveying the year’s key message and vision, and a standing slogan reflecting the values and goals the police will pursue on an ongoing basis. The main slogan was set as 'A Police Force Taking a New Leap, Protecting the Safety of the People More Firmly.' It expressed the police’s resolve to strengthen the completeness and expertise of investigations under the new criminal justice system and to firmly protect public safety.

The standing slogan is 'Closer to the People, Stronger Through Trust.' Selected through a public contest last month, it is significant for setting out the police’s goals while incorporating suggestions made directly by the public.

Police officers salute the national flag during a ceremony marking the 81st Police Day at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. Yonhap News Agency

At this year’s tribute to Police Heroes, attendees honored the dedication and sacrifice of the late Sergeant Sim Yeonsu and Inspector Kim Seonhyeon. Sergeant Sim died in the line of duty in 1963 after rescuing a member of the public who was walking dangerously along a railway track as a train approached while he was patrolling the grounds of Mukho Station in Donghae, Gangwon Province. Inspector Kim died in the line of duty in 2018 after being stabbed while subduing a suspect in Yeongyang County, North Gyeongsang Province, where he had responded to a report that the suspect was causing a disturbance.

To honor the noble spirit of the two heroes, who dedicated themselves to protecting the lives and safety of the people, the Korean National Police Agency presented videos using AI technology to reconstruct their lives and service, and gave their families Police Hero recognition plaques.

Inspector Kim’s daughter and son-in-law are also serving as police officers, giving their family’s story added poignancy. The late officer’s daughter, Sergeant Kim Seongeun, moved those watching to tears when she reflected, "Now that I’m a police officer, I think I understand how my father felt when he put himself at risk without even having time to feel afraid when someone was in danger."

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