Four candidates for next police chief promoted to Chief Superintendent

South Korea's police force has announced the promotion of four officers to the rank of Chief Superintendent, a move that could fill the long-standing vacancy at the top of the agency. The position of National Police Agency Commissioner has been vacant for 20 months following the dismissal of the previous commissioner amid the aftermath of the December 3rd emergency martial law declaration.

The four newly appointed Chief Superintendents are Yoo Seung-ryeol, currently serving as Director of the Investigation Planning and Coordination Division; Ko Beom-seok, former head of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency; Kim Jong-cheol, head of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency; and Ko Pyeong-ki, head of the Jeju Provincial Police Agency. These individuals are now considered leading contenders for the Commissioner role.

Chief Superintendents typically hold key positions such as Head of the National Investigation Headquarters, Deputy Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and heads of major metropolitan police agencies in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Nambu. With the exception of the Head of the National Investigation Headquarters, who has a two-year term, the other six positions are generally seen as pathways to the Commissioner's office. The promotions are expected to trigger further personnel changes in subsequent appointments.