South Korean President attends 81st Police Day ceremony

President Lee attended the 81st Police Day ceremony at the National Police Agency in Seoul. During his keynote address, the President emphasized that as police authority has expanded through criminal justice reforms, so too must their accountability and responsibility to the public. He called for reforms to address public anxiety regarding relationship-based crimes and random motive crimes, urging the police to implement changes that citizens can tangibly feel.

The ceremony saw mixed diplomatic attendance. Ambassadors from China and Russia were present, alongside representatives from 10 other nations. However, the ambassadors from the United States and Japan did not attend. The U.S. Ambassador, Michelle Steel, was reportedly attending a different luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Additionally, the Ukrainian Ambassador was excluded from the invitation list following recent diplomatic tensions between the two governments.

Separately, the Woori Financial Group Mirae Foundation received a Presidential Commendation for its contributions to the welfare of fallen and injured police officers. Since 2022, the foundation has provided approximately 900 million won in support to 220 officers and their families, with plans to extend further support this year.