Police leaders, including acting chief Kim Jong-cheol, pay their respects to the late Choi Bool-am: “The eternal Chief Detective”

[Financial News] On the 30th, police leaders, including acting Korean National Police Agency chief Kim Jong-cheol, visited the funeral altar of the late actor Choi Bool-am (born Choi Young-han) and honored him as “the eternal Chief Detective.”
The condolences were offered that afternoon at Asan Medical Center’s funeral hall in Songpa District, Seoul. Those attending included the director of the National Office of Investigation’s Security Investigation Bureau, the Korean National Police Agency’s director of General Affairs, and its security investigation and cyber investigation review officers.
After paying his respects, Acting Chief Kim offered condolences to the bereaved family in comments to reporters and reflected that the deceased had been connected to the police for more than 50 years, ever since he was appointed an honorary police officer in 1972.
“He will be remembered as the eternal Chief Detective by all 140,000 of us in the police force, as well as by the 50 million people of this country,” he said. “We will honor the deceased’s wishes and strive to become a police force trusted by the public.”
Acting Chief Kim also expressed his sadness, saying that the deceased’s simply staying healthy had been a source of strength for the police force.
From 1971 to 1989, Choi Bool-am starred as Chief Park Young-han in the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) drama “Chief Detective.” He won viewers’ affection for his humane portrayal of a detective who took the lead in solving cases while showing understanding for people’s personal stories.
His role as a police officer on screen led to real-life service as an honorary police officer. In recognition of his contribution to improving the police’s image, the police appointed him an honorary senior inspector in January 1972. He was later promoted through the honorary ranks of superintendent, senior superintendent and deputy superintendent general, reaching the rank of honorary senior superintendent general in 2021.
On June 28, 2024, he became the first civilian to be promoted to honorary superintendent general and was appointed honorary chief of the National Office of Investigation. In the 52 years since his first appointment as an honorary police officer, he was promoted five times.
When he was promoted to honorary senior superintendent in 2012, the deceased promised, “I will live as an even better role model and serve as a bridge between citizens and the police.” He continued to connect the police and citizens through broadcasting and public service activities.
In 2021, he appeared in and narrated “50 Years of Police as Seen by Choi Bool-am,” a documentary produced in collaboration between MBC and the Korean National Police Agency. That same year, he also took part in an agreement between ChildFund Korea and the agency to support victims of child abuse. In 2023, he was the first to step forward in the NO EXIT campaign to eradicate drugs.
The deceased passed away on the 29th while receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital in Gangseo District, Seoul. He was 87. His funeral will be held over five days under the auspices of ChildFund Korea.
The funeral procession is scheduled for 7 a.m. on November 2. A funeral Mass will be held that day at Yeouido Catholic Church in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, and his burial site is Donghwa Gyeongmo Memorial Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

[email protected] Shin Jin-a, Jang In-seo Reporter