By Lee Jon-young

Former Chungbuk National Police Chief Chung Yong-geun (58), who is running for the 22nd general election for the People Power Party in Chungju, announced on Jan. 2 that he will give up the privilege of non-arrest of lawmakers.

Chung said, "There are many privileges of lawmakers in Korea, and I will give them all up. I know better than anyone else the aspirations of citizens for a new politics."

In a written pledge, Chung said, "I pledge before the people that if I am elected as a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and a motion to arrest me is submitted during the session due to my alleged crimes, I will waive the privilege of non-arrest of lawmakers stipulated in Article 44 of the Constitution and request my fellow lawmakers to pass the motion by speaking about my identity." 

"As a politician who wants to realize a new politics, I will focus on political innovation," he said.

Chung was born in Yongtan-dong, Chungju, and graduated from Mokhaeng Primary School, Chungju Middle and High Schools. He joined the police force as a third police academy graduate and served as the chief of Eumseong Police Station, Chungbuk National Police Commissioner, and National Police Agency Transportation Director for 37 years. He registered as a preliminary candidate on December 12 last year.