Interpol’s presidential election; Russia in surprise loss to South Korea

Interpol has elected South Korean Kim Jong-yang as its president, rejecting the Russian frontrunner who had been accused of abusing the international police body’s arrest warrant system.

Mr. Kim was chosen by Interpol’s 194 member states at a meeting of its annual congress in Dubai, UAE.

South Korean Kim Jong-yang beat Russian candidate Alexander Prokopchuk, who had been widely tipped to win.

But there was growing concern that Mr. Prokopchuk would use the role to target critics of Russia’s President Putin.

The election follows the disappearance of Interpol’s former president Meng Hongwei, who vanished on a trip to China in September. Beijing has since confirmed he has been detained and is being investigated for allegedly taking bribes.

Kim Jong-yang said, Our world is now facing unprecedented changes which present huge challenges to public security and safety.

The International Criminal Police Organization was founded in 1923 in Vienna, Austria and its original members included Germany, France and China, the UK and US did not join until later.

In 1956, it became officially known as Interpol and has since grown into a network of 194 member countries.

Interpol does not have its own officers, and all investigations and arrests are made by the national police of a member country.

But the organization can issue Red Notices, which are effectively international arrest warrants.

Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *