22-Month Vacancy in National Police Chief Post to Be Filled Soon
President Lee Jae-myung said the post of National Police Agency chief, which has sat vacant for one year and ten months, will be filled soon. Speaking at a meeting with reporters covering the presidential office at Chunchugwan, Cheong Wa Dae, on October 19, 2026, Lee explained, "Looking at the state of the police, it's understandable that the appointment was delayed, given how long it took. The pool of personnel available after the disciplinary process over the insurrection was not plentiful." The police chief's post has been run on an acting basis ever since former chief Jo Ji-ho stepped down following his impeachment over the December 3 martial law crisis.
President Lee's difficulties with personnel appointments are not limited to the police chief. The National Tax Service chief post became vacant when Lim Kwang-hyun was appointed as presidential secretary on October 14, and the Justice Ministry post has stood empty for nearly two months since former minister Jeong Seong-ho stepped down on August 26. The ministry has been unable to fill the justice minister's seat since nominee Kim Seung-won's candidacy fell through during the August 30 cabinet reshuffle.
President Lee said, "It has taken far longer than it should have, but I am doing my utmost to find the right person." He added, "Personnel appointments seem to be truly difficult. The criteria for judgment all differ. And it seems that as our society has grown and developed, the level of expectations has risen considerably." He continued, "There have been cases where I, or those in charge of appointments, thought the public would tolerate this much, but they did not."
Regarding the delayed appointment of the special inspector, Lee said, "I asked for the appointment to be made quickly, but the opposition party objected." He went on, "The role is needed to prevent problems beforehand should they arise around the office, but I wondered whether it was necessary to push it through unilaterally." He added, "I have asked my staff to look into whether there is any way to make the appointment."
In the end, the personnel vacancies will be resolved through procedural means.
