Kim Seung-ryong Removed as Fire Commissioner... Choi Yong-cheol Named New Deputy Commissioner

[Financial News] Kim Seung-ryong, the Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, who was ordered to undergo an inspection by the president over controversy surrounding an overseas trip, will step down about three months after taking office.
According to the National Fire Agency on the 12th, Kim will leave his post of his own accord and be officially dismissed by resignation on the 15th.
Choi Yong-cheol, who had been serving as acting head of the vacant Deputy Commissioner post while leading the Gyeonggi-do Fire Disaster Headquarters, has been promoted to fire superintendent general and appointed to the position. The Deputy Commissioner serves as acting head when the commissioner is absent. Until a new commissioner is appointed, Choi will act as commissioner.
The new Deputy Commissioner was born in Boeun County, North Chungcheong Province, in 1970 and graduated from Cheongju High School and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. He earned a master's degree from Ajou University Graduate School of Public Affairs and another from Oklahoma State University, and completed doctoral coursework at the Graduate School of Public Administration at Kyonggi University.
He entered the fire service in 1999 as part of the 10th class of fire officer candidates and has served as chief of Uiwang Fire Station, Gyeonggi-do; chief of Gwangju Fire Station, Gyeonggi Province; head of the Sejong Special Self-Governing City Fire Headquarters; director of the National Fire Agency Response Coordination Division; acting head of the National Fire Service Academy; head of the Jeonnam Fire Headquarters; and acting head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire Disaster Headquarters.
The National Fire Agency described Choi as someone who "combines outstanding on-site command ability, strong execution skills, and extensive administrative experience," adding that he "has earned the deep trust of staff through rational leadership that values communication and harmony within the organization."
Choi said, "I will actively communicate with my colleagues based on mutual trust and professional expertise among staff," and added, "I will make every effort to place public safety first, push forward proactive fire policies, and establish a thorough prevention and response system to prepare for increasingly complex and diverse disasters."
Meanwhile, Kim had been appointed Deputy Commissioner after former Fire Commissioner Heo Seok-gon was suspended from duty in September last year amid an investigation related to the December 3 Martial Law declaration, and he served as acting commissioner for about six months. He was formally appointed commissioner in March, but stepped down three months later after an inspection was ordered over allegations of misconduct during an overseas trip.
spring@fnnews.com Reporter Lee Bo-mi Reporter