Politics · South Korea · 9 hrs ago
Kim Jong-cheol nominated to lead South Korea’s police
Kim Jong-cheol has been nominated to lead South Korea’s police after serving as acting chief.
The National Police Commission approved his nomination on Friday, and the interior minister submitted it to President Lee Jae-myung.
The police chief’s post had been vacant since December 2024, when former chief Cho Ji-ho was suspended.
Cho was accused of taking part in the December 3 emergency martial law declaration.
The force has been led by acting chiefs for nearly two years, including Kim.
The interior minister said the force faces work on criminal justice system changes and police reform.
Kim’s nomination is now before President Lee, but the reports do not say whether he has been appointed.
Kim Jong-cheol was nominated on November 6, 2026, to become South Korea’s next national police chief.
Kim, 56, is the deputy commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency and has been serving as acting chief.
The National Police Commission approved the nomination proposal at a meeting in Seoul.
Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung said he had recommended Kim to President Lee Jae-myung.
The chief’s post had been vacant since former chief Cho Ji-ho was suspended in December 2024 over alleged involvement in the December 3 martial law.
- Who
- Kim Jong-cheol, 56, deputy commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency and acting chief.
- What
- He was nominated to become the next national police chief.
- When
- November 6, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea. The National Police Commission met in Seoul to approve the nomination proposal.
- Why
- The sources do not state a specific reason for selecting Kim.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Former police chief Cho Ji-ho was suspended over alleged involvement in the December 3 martial law.
The National Police Commission approved the proposal to nominate Kim Jong-cheol as police chief.
Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung said he had recommended Kim to President Lee Jae-myung.
- Nominee
- Kim Jong-cheol
- Age
- 56
- Position
- Deputy commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency and acting chief
- Nomination date
- November 6, 2026
- Commission meeting
- Seoul
- Vacancy began
- December 2024