Ko Beom-seok inaugurated as 42nd Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief
Ko Beom-seok, the newly inaugurated 42nd chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, opened his tenure with a call for "unwavering adherence to basics and principles over flashy results."
Speaking at his inauguration ceremony Thursday at the agency's headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Ko said that for the Seoul police to earn the full trust of citizens, "not doing wrong must come first." He said that means "firmly guarding against duty violations and internal corruption in accordance with basic principles, and carrying out responsibilities properly."
Ko said that "with attention focused on the police ahead of changes to the criminal justice system, even a small mistake can have a significant impact on public trust," and added that all duties must be carried out in compliance with the Constitution and the law, with greater care taken to ensure fair enforcement in both process and outcome.
Noting that outstanding and impartial police investigation is more important than ever, Ko urged officers to "continuously raise professional expertise and speed through constant education and training."
Ko identified four core values for the Seoul police: protecting citizens' lives and safety, upholding basic principles, fostering mutual understanding within the organization, and keeping police work grounded in the field.
In closing, Ko said "challenges and tasks that will not be easy lie ahead," but expressed confidence that "if we stay centered on citizens, uphold our principles, and seek answers in the field, we can overcome any difficulty."
Ko, a native of Mokpo in South Jeolla Province, graduated from the Korean National Police University (8th class) and joined the force as a lieutenant in 1992. He previously served as head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Mobile Operations Command and as chief of the South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency.
kido@heraldcorp.com
