Service Time Requirement for Police Promotions Lessened by One Year

The minimum time of service (currently two years) required for police officers with a rank of sergeant or below to receive promotions will be lessened, thus allowing faster promotion through the ranks.

On June 28, the government held a state council at the Central Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan presiding, and voted on an amended bill for the promotion and recruitment of police officers.

According to the new bill, which is set to go into effect in July, the number of years in service required for a patrolman to become a corporal, or a corporal to become a sergeant, has been reduced from two years to just one year. In addition, police officers with outstanding contributions, including the arrest of such significant criminal elements as murderers, armed robbers, and members of criminal organizations, may be granted special promotions regardless of the minimum requirement.

Hyung-June Park lovesong@donga.com