Police leadership overhauled in massive late-night reshuffle

A massive late-night reshuffle has completely transformed police leadership in South Korea, according to police officials. The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) announced that the chief of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency has been appointed deputy commissioner general of the KNPA. This change effectively places him as the acting head of the national police force, following a prolonged vacancy in the top position.

Kim Jong-chul, who previously served as acting KNPA commissioner for over 20 months, takes on the new role. The KNPA explained that the reshuffle was carried out in accordance with a regional avoidance principle. This principle aims to prevent senior officers from being assigned to their hometowns or regions where they have close ties, thereby strengthening impartiality and deterring corruption.

The reshuffle encompasses a significant 78 percent of the total, with 14 out of the 18 national police agency chiefs at the city and province levels being replaced. Furthermore, over 80 percent of senior superintendent general ranks have also been replaced in this personnel shakeup, as revealed by the officials.

Ko Beom-seok has been appointed as the new chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, while Yu Seung-ryeol has been promoted to head the Incheon Metropolitan Police chief. The KNPA has stated that they plan to continue implementing further changes in police leadership.