President Yoon Seok-yeol decided to postpone the resignation of Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong today (27th).



As President Yoon departs for Madrid, Spain to attend the NATO summit this afternoon, it seems difficult for him to accept his resignation immediately.



A key official in the presidential office said in a media call today, "If Commissioner Kim formally resigns, it will be handled according to the procedure set by the law."



Complying with the legal process is interpreted as meaning that if Commissioner Kim resigns, he will make a final decision on whether to accept the case after inquiring whether he is under investigation by the prosecution, audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection, or pending disciplinary review.



It is said that President Yoon received a report in advance from his aides that Commissioner Kim would express his resignation today, 27 days before the expiration of his term.



Commissioner Kim apologized to reporters this morning, as expected, but he is said to have gone on leave without submitting a letter of resignation through the official line yet.



Inside and outside the presidential office, when Commissioner Kim expressed his opposition to the direction of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's police system improvement in a statement, it was pointed out that the behavior was inappropriate.



In particular, it is criticized for causing serious confusion by saying that from the morning of the day when President Yoon's overseas tour began, the chief of security would take off his clothes without notice.



In some circles, there was an outrageous reaction, saying, "He is serving as a 'loyal dog' for the former president and the Democratic Party of Korea until the very end."



A key passport official said in a phone call, "The person who took the lead in dispelling the corruption investigation of the previous administration expressed his resignation by talking about the neutrality and independence of the police, and it is something that a passing cow will laugh at."



Aiming at Kim, the official said, "Isn't it the chief of the police who had been ignoring the numerous allegations related to the Moon Jae-in regime that erupted during his tenure?"



Another official also said on the phone, "It is very inappropriate behavior for the chief security officer to suddenly express his resignation when President Yoon is leaving Korea for the first summit diplomatic schedule."



The official added, "It seems difficult for President Yoon to accept Kim's resignation before returning to Korea."



(Photo = Yonhap News)