[Anchor]
The police have carried out promotions to the rank of gyeongmugwan—often described as the "police stars"—after postponing them amid scrutiny over activities tied to the "Respect for the Constitution Government Innovation Task Force."
The promotion list includes many officials who were sidelined under the previous administration for attending the "Senior Superintendents' Meeting," as well as officers who were seconded to several special prosecutor teams.
This is Cha Seung-eun.
[Reporter]
The National Police Agency announced promotions to the rank of gyeongmugwan, a senior position often referred to as the "police stars."
Gyeongmugwan is a high-ranking post just below the top commissioners and typically includes deputy chiefs at provincial police headquarters.
All 28 officers named for promotion include those who had been demoted for attending the "Senior Superintendents' Meeting," a gathering that opposed the creation of a police bureau within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety during President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration. The promotions effectively restore their standing.
Promoted officials include Kim Jong-gwan, the National Police Agency's personnel officer who, while serving as Namdaemun Station chief, was the only attendee from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at the meeting; and Kim Sang-hee, formerly the publicity officer for the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police and now head of the Women's Safety Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
About 10 others who publicly supported the Senior Superintendents' Meeting were also included among the promotion candidates.
Choi Jun-young, head of the Criminal Division at the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police, and Kang Il-gu, head of the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit at the Seoul Police Agency—both of whom were seconded to special prosecutor teams, including the Kim Keon-hee probe and a special investigation into the death of a marine—were promoted to gyeongmugwan. Park Jae-seok, who led an investigation into a criminal complex in Cambodia and coordinated international operations as head of International Cooperation Division 1 at the National Police Agency, was also promoted.
The National Police Agency said it aimed to restore regional balance within the police leadership and selected investigators with strong investigative expertise in preparation for an overhaul of the investigative system.
Senior police appointments typically occur at year-end, but the process was delayed three to four months due to disciplinary and related measures connected to the "Respect for the Constitution Government Innovation Task Force."
With these gyeongmugwan promotions announced, officials expect remaining superintendent-level promotions and other personnel moves to follow in quick succession.
Observers also say a nomination for the National Police chief—a post vacant for one year and three months—is likely to be announced soon.
This is Cha Seung-eun of Yonhap News TV.
[Video editing: Kim Doi]
[Graphics: Lee Eun-byul]
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Cha Seung-eun (chaletuno@yna.co.kr)
