Since the suspicious disappearance of its former president Meng Hongwei who is accused of corruption in China, Kim Jong-yang has been acting as interim president. It was after several days of a race between Russian Alexander Prokopchuk and French Mireille Ballestrazzi that Kim Jong-yang was elected head of the international criminal police organization on November 21.

The Russian candidacy was not without controversy and fears were raised about the potential links between Alexander Prokoptchuk and the Kremlin. Such a link has made the presidential race threatened by the Kremlin’s influence in the organization in case of a potential victory of the Russian candidate.

Therefore, it was with relief that Kim Jong-yang’s victory was welcomed, despite the fact that the leadership is primarily provided by Secretary General Jürgen Stock.

Cécile Wlodarczak

Source 

Le Monde : https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2018/11/21/le-sud-coreen-kim-jong-yang-elu-president-d-interpol_5386359_3210.html