Kim Jong-chul Nominated to End Two-Year Police Agency Commissioner Vacancy
The Chosun Ilbo · Kim Young-joon ·
Kim Jong-chul Nominated to End Two-Year Police Agency Commissioner Vacancy Acting commissioner recommended by Minister Yun Ho-jung to fill post left vacant since December 2024 martial law controversy
Lee Jae Myung government’s first National Police Agency Commissioner nominee, Kim Jong-chul, 56, the current acting commissioner and National Police Agency deputy commissioner, was recommended for appointment on the 6th. The National Police Agency Commissioner position had remained vacant for nearly two years since former Commissioner Cho Ji-ho’s duties were suspended in December 2024 over allegations of involvement in the December 3 emergency martial law. Ahn Deok-su, 55, head of the Seoul Regional Tax Office, was nominated as the new National Tax Service Commissioner.
The National Police Agency Commissioner is recommended for appointment to the president by the Minister of the Interior and Safety with the National Police Commission’s consent, followed by a parliamentary confirmation hearing. Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung announced, “I have recommended Kim Jong-chul for appointment.” Kim, en route to a police commission meeting, stated, “Public expectations for the police are higher than ever, yet concerns are also significant. I feel immense responsibility for being nominated during such a critical time.”
Kim, born in Hamyang, Gyeongnam Province, graduated from Jinju Myeongsin High School and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies’ English department. He joined the police force in 1997 as a lieutenant (45th police executive candidate class). He served as head of the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency’s Public Safety Bureau, head of the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency’s Public Safety Bureau, and head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Safety and Traffic Bureau. Promoted to commissioner in September last year, he led the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency. After a year, he was promoted to senior commissioner and appointed National Police Agency deputy commissioner in September. During the Moon Jae-in administration, he was dispatched to the Cheong Wa Dae Presidential Situation Room, and later to the Lee Jae Myung government’s National Policy Planning Committee.
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