Yun Hojung: "Police Chief Nominee Kim Jongcheol Has Broad Perspective on Criminal Justice System Reform"

Police Agency Deputy Chief Kim Jongcheol Recommended for Appointment as Chief
"Extensive Experience in Frontline Policing and Policy Oversight"
National Police Commission Approves Kim's Nomination

On November 6, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Hojung recommended Kim Jongcheol, the current acting chief of the National Police Agency and its deputy chief, for appointment as the agency's new chief.

At a briefing at the Seoul Government Complex that afternoon, Minister Yun said, "I requested that the National Police Commission hold an extraordinary meeting, and the Commission approved the candidate for chief of the National Police Agency. I intend to recommend the candidate for appointment in accordance with the procedures set out in the relevant laws and regulations."

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung briefs reporters at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 6th regarding his nomination of Kim Jongcheol as a candidate for chief of the Korean National Police Agency. Yonhap News

Minister Yun cited Kim's extensive experience in public safety, organizational management skills and broad perspective on advancing police reform as reasons for recommending him as the new police chief. He said, "Kim Jongcheol, the candidate for chief of the National Police Agency, has gained recognition both within and outside the organization for his outstanding planning abilities and drive in carrying out his duties. He has broad experience in frontline public safety as well as in overseeing policy areas including autonomous policing, personnel and intelligence. He also has the broad perspective needed to address the tasks of our time, particularly reforming the criminal justice system and the police."

Earlier that day, the National Police Commission held an extraordinary meeting and deliberated on and approved a motion to recommend Kim for appointment as chief. The move comes about one year and 11 months after former chief Cho Ji-ho was suspended from his duties following the December 3, 2024, emergency martial law crisis. Before attending the Commission meeting, Kim told reporters, "I know that public expectations of the police are higher than ever, and that voices of concern are even louder. I feel a profound sense of responsibility at being nominated as a candidate for police chief at such a grave time."

Kim graduated from the Department of English at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and joined the police force in 1997. He went on to serve as a frontline commander, including chief of the Sokcho Police Station in Gangwon Province and chief of the Seocho Police Station in Seoul, before holding posts such as head of the Autonomous Police Division at the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, head of the Public Safety Division at the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency, and head of the Life Safety and Traffic Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. He was promoted to the rank of commissioner general in September 2025 and served as chief of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency. In August 2026, he was named as a candidate for promotion to senior superintendent general. Following subsequent personnel appointments, he became deputy chief of the National Police Agency in September and also took on the role of acting chief.

Under Article 14 of the Police Act, the chief of the National Police Agency is appointed by the president, upon recommendation by the minister of the interior and safety and with the approval of the National Police Commission, through the prime minister. The chief can be appointed without approval from the National Assembly after a confirmation hearing.

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