The government yesterday announced a reshuffle in police leadership, selecting a presidential secretary to head the Seoul police.

Kang Shin-myung, presidential secretary for public security, was promoted as the commissioner of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the National Police Agency said.

In addition to Kang, three others senior superintendent generals were lifted to the rank of chief superintendent general.

Choi Dong-hae, head of Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency, was chosen to head Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency; and Lee In-seon, head of Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, was promoted to deputy chief of the National Police Agency. Lee Kum-hyoung, president of the Korean National Police University, was promoted to head Busan Metropolitan Police Agency; and Ahn Jae-kyung, deputy chief of the National Police Agency, was selected to head the police academy.

Kang, 49, served in various key posts in the police throughout his career. From October 2012 to February, he led North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency. At the start of the Park Geun-hye administration, Kang was appointed as the secretary to the president for public security.

With yesterday’s promotion, Lee Kum-hyoung became the first woman to make the rank of chief superintendent general. It is the second-highest position in the National Police Agency’s chain of command. Lee started her career in 1977 as a police officer.


BY SER MYO-JA [myoja@joongang.co.kr]