National Investigation Headquarters chief Park Sung-ju retires at mandatory age

By Kim A-rin, The Herald Business

Park Sung-ju, chief of the Korean National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters, retired Tuesday upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.

The National Investigation Headquarters held a retirement ceremony for Park at its offices in Migung-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, at 2 p.m. that day. Before the ceremony, Park told the police press corps that he had spent a total of 41 years with the organization — 37 years as a police officer on top of four years at the Korean National Police University. "Serving as the final head of the National Investigation Headquarters was an especially meaningful and deeply appreciated time," he said.

Park cited reductions in voice phishing and drug crimes as the key achievements of his one-year tenure. "When I took the post, I promised to bring down voice phishing and drug crimes, which I considered the most serious problems," he said. "I believe we achieved results through cooperation between the police and related ministries, and I consider that a success."

Asked about concerns over the National Investigation Headquarters chief post falling vacant on the heels of the police commissioner general's position also being unfilled, Park said he was not overly worried. "I believe our talented colleagues are each faithfully carrying out their roles, so I don't think there is much cause for concern," he said.

Park was appointed in June last year. The National Investigation Headquarters chief serves a two-year term, but he is leaving after completing only half of it, as the Police Officials Act sets the mandatory retirement age at 60. With his departure, Yoon Seung-young, the headquarters' investigation planning and coordination officer, will serve as acting chief in a statutory capacity starting Wednesday until a successor is named.

Born in Boseong, South Jeolla Province, Park graduated in the fifth class of the Korean National Police University and joined the force in 1989 as a police lieutenant. He built a reputation as an investigation specialist, having served as head of investigation and criminal affairs divisions at several Seoul police stations before going on to lead the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's investigation bureau and the National Investigation Headquarters' investigation division.

Hong Seok-gi, director of the Korean National Police Agency's investigation bureau; Bae Dae-hee, director of the security investigation bureau; and Choe Bo-hyeon, deputy chief of investigations at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, are among those being mentioned as potential candidates to succeed Park.