Lee calls for greater cohesion among police

President Lee Myung-bak said Friday the nation's police force should increase organizational cohesion to better serve the people, stressing that it is not desirable for the law enforcement agency to be divided along educational and regional lines.

Lee made the remark during a morale-boosting lunch with top police officials, including National Police Agency Commissioner General Kim Ki-yong and Coast Guard Commissioner General Lee Kang-deok, presidential spokesman Park Jeong-ha said.

In Korea, educational and regional backgrounds weigh big in social relationships, with those sharing hometowns or alma maters bonding more closely with each other. Rather than merit, such bonding often plays roles in appointments and promotions, causing division in organizations.

Critics have said the police are no exception to such divisiveness.

"Demand for policing services has been increasing as the quality of life improves," Lee said. "Police should unite under a clear goal. It is not desirable to be divided along educational backgrounds and regionalism. Not only police, but also other public servants should be evaluated based on merit."

Lee's appointment of police chief Kim was seen as part of such efforts.

Kim, who took office early last month, graduated from a correspondence college and has no high-school alma mater as he passed the qualification test for college entrance. He is also the first police chief hailing from the central North Chungcheong Province.

Kim entered police after passing the high-level civil service exam.

"What matters the most now is competence, not academic background," Lee said. "In police as well, those who perform their duties should get promotions." (Yonhap)