Member countries of the Interpol elected Kim Jong-yang of South Korea as the President at its annual conference in Dubai. He succeeds the former president Meng Hongwei of China, who disappeared in September 2018 following a visit to China. Chinese authorities have since confirmed that he has been detained for alleged corruption cases against him.
Jong-yang defeated Russian candidate Alexander Prokopchuk, who was seen as a forerunner for the position. However, his presidency was being opposed by American and European officials as well as various human rights groups because it was seen as an opportunity for the Russian government to go after dissidents and political opponents.
The Interpol has 194 member nations as on date and is considered the world’s largest police organization.
