Confirmation Hearing for Chief of the National Police Agency Candidate Heo Joon-young

The Government Administration and Local Autonomy Committee (GALAC) of the National Assembly held a confirmation hearing for Chief of the National Police Agency candidate Heo Joon-young on January 14, to affirm his temperament and morals as the chief of police.

The GALAC is planning to hold a general meeting on January 17 to adopt a report on the hearing and convey it to President Roh Moo-hyun. It seems that the appointment of candidate Heo will be likely as most of the lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties agreed that Heo was “acceptable” after the hearing. The report on the hearing has no binding power on the appointing power of the president.

On this day, lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties closely inquired into the following: Heo was specially appointed into the police force while his military records stated he was severely near-sighted and colorblind; he conducted military services while taking senior course at a university; the suspicions of his wife’s nonpayment of National Pension; and the suspicions of speculation in real estate and stocks.

At this hearing, Heo said, “The police officer in charge of over 90 percent of the investigation should have power equal to the responsibility he/she carries,” and declared his intentions to promote independence in police investigation. He also added, “During the first half of this year, we will prepare an autonomous police system. After testing it through the second half of the year and the first half of next year, we will operate in earnest by the second half of next year.”

Jong-Koo Yoon jkmas@donga.com