Hong Seok-ki takes helm of national investigation unit as police chief post remains vacant

By Kim A-rin, The Herald Business

Hong Seok-ki, 57, the Korean National Police Agency's investigation bureau chief, was appointed head of the agency's National Investigation Headquarters and took office Friday — just two days after his predecessor, Park Seong-ju, stepped down.

Hong has served as investigation bureau chief at the senior superintendent general level since last September. His promotion to senior superintendent came alongside his appointment to lead the headquarters. The move is seen as an effort to minimize any gap in investigative leadership as the agency enters its second year under acting Commissioner General Yoo Jae-seong, who has held the role since last June.

Police are handling a number of politically sensitive cases involving alleged misconduct tied to the political sphere. The investigation into allegations surrounding Kim Byung-kee, former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is understood to be nearing its conclusion. Hong is expected to take charge of the final direction of that case and other major investigations immediately upon taking office.

Hong also faces institutional challenges ahead, including defining the relationship between the police and a proposed serious-crimes investigation agency the government is pushing to establish, and strengthening the police's overall investigative capacity. A native of Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, Hong graduated in the eighth class of the Korean National Police University and joined the force in 1991. His term as head of the National Investigation Headquarters runs two years.