Park Hyun-soo, the Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency, was appointed as acting chief of the Seoul Police Agency on the 7th. This came two days after he was nominated for promotion from Deputy Commissioner to Chief. This occurred while the President, the Minister of the Interior, and the Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency were all acting due to a state of emergency and insurrection. Acting Commissioner Park is also under suspicion related to his actions during the martial law.
In response, the opposition raised various issues. Numerous points have been made within the police as well. Acting Commissioner Park is scheduled to appear before the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee on the 18th to provide answers.
① Acting Commissioner Park, 'super-fast promotion' under Yoon government… also being questioned as a witness related to martial law
Acting Commissioner Park Hyun-soo has been evaluated as having risen to the number two position in the police through 'super-fast promotion' under President Yoon Seok-youl. Born in Daejeon, he graduated from the Police Academy (10th class) in 1994. He was promoted to superintendent in December 2016. He was dispatched as a member of the personnel verification team of the presidential transition committee formed after President Yoon's election, and became a police commissioner in January 2023 while serving in the Presidential Office's National Situation Room. Subsequently, he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner and became the Director of the Police Information Bureau of the Korean National Police Agency, and from June 2024, he served as the Director of the Police Division of the Ministry of the Interior. After that, he was recently promoted to Chief Superintendent and became the acting chief of the Seoul Police Agency. He rose three ranks in just two years and one month. A police official noted, 'There is a strong perception of Acting Commissioner Park as being a supporter of President Yoon.'
Within the opposition, there are claims that Acting Commissioner Park is not unrelated to the 12·3 martial law. According to Democratic Party lawmaker Han Byeong-do's office, Acting Commissioner Park was found to have communicated with former Minister of the Interior Lee Sang-min and former Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency Jo Ji-ho around the time of the 12·3 martial law, and he reportedly communicated with Police Chief Jeong Jung-ju, who was in charge of controlling the National Assembly's situation, on the day of the martial law. It has been reported that Acting Commissioner Park was also questioned as a witness regarding the 12·3 martial law on December 19 last year.
② Why was the position of Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency left empty while the Seoul Police chief is filled under the acting system?
After the removal of Kim Bong-sik, former chief of the Seoul Police Agency, who was the number two position, the position of the Seoul Police Agency became vacant. The number one position, Commissioner Jo Ji-ho, was also arrested and indicted, leaving Deputy Police Chief Lee Ho-young as the acting commissioner. Subsequently, Acting Commissioner Park Hyun-soo was promoted to Deputy Commissioner, a rank capable of becoming acting chief of the Seoul Police Agency. This promotion process followed the recommendation of Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young of the Korean National Police Agency and was proposed by Acting Minister Ko Gi-dong of the Ministry of the Interior. Then, Acting Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Strategy and Finance, appointed him. This raised questions about why the position of Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency was left empty while only filling the chief of the Seoul Police Agency.
In response, Acting Prime Minister Choi appeared at the National Assembly on the 6th and, in response to questions from opposition lawmakers about the background of police appointments, said, 'Not only is there currently a law enforcement gap, but appointments should be made at the end of the year and early next year for overall national stability,' and remarked that 'if it is not a political position, it can be understood as part of my (appointment) process.' Essentially, this means that the Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency, a level corresponding to the rank of Vice Minister, did not appoint anyone, while the chief of the Seoul Police Agency, which corresponds to a first-level position, did make an appointment.
However, the Legal Affairs Office ruled last September that the Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency does not qualify as a political public servant. A police official remarked, 'The appointment criteria stated by Acting Prime Minister Choi lack convincing power.' Another analysis suggests there may be other circumstances at play. To appoint a Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency requires a personnel hearing in the National Assembly. A police official commented, 'Isn't Acting Prime Minister Choi trying to avoid the politically burdensome personnel hearing for the Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency?'
③ Awkward appointments marked with 'promote-nominated' and 'acting'
There are criticisms that the very promotion of Acting Commissioner Park to the position of Deputy Commissioner is problematic. The Deputy Commissioner position is limited to seven people. These positions are to be filled in the seven appointments, including the chief of the Seoul Police Agency.
Kim Bong-sik, the former chief of the Seoul Police Agency, was suspended from duty and placed on standby as of the 27th after an arrest warrant was issued on December 13 last year. However, since a final ruling has yet to be made, he maintains the status of Deputy Commissioner without dismissal or removal. All positions of Deputy Commissioners are currently filled, meaning that Acting Commissioner Park cannot officially be promoted to Deputy Commissioner. Until one of the current Deputy Commissioners steps down, the labels 'promote-nominated' and 'acting' will continue to follow Acting Commissioner Park.
Regarding this, a police official stated, 'Even if there are no legal issues, it is a rather awkward appointment,' adding that 'from the outside, it may appear as a forced promotion and appointment.'
④ Opposition raises suspicions of 'interference with martial law investigation' and 'managing early presidential elections'
In the opposition, there are suspicions that the government's decision to promote Acting Commissioner Park was aimed at 'managing the situation for early presidential elections' and 'interfering with the investigation of martial law.' The claim is that by placing a former Presidential Office member in the position of 'number two in the police' as the chief of the Seoul Police Agency, the government intends to create a favorable environment for the ruling party in the presidential election. Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae stated, 'Acting Prime Minister Choi approved the promotion of high-ranking police positions, and it seems to be a blatant appointment to obstruct the investigation of insurrection.'
As the controversy arose, Acting Commissioner Park began his duties as the chief of the Seoul Police Agency on the 10th and met with reporters, stating, 'While I have explained everything in the National Assembly so far, I didn't have time to provide detailed information,' adding, 'There will be an opportunity to explain thoroughly during the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee meeting on the 18th.'