The Consulate of the Republic of Korea, Consul Chang Hyon Sohn and his administrative assistant visited with Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway and requested he select a deputy to participate in “The Symposium for the International Police Officers”, sponsored by The Korean National Police. Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Deputy David Kim was chosen by Conway and the Consulate General, Kim He Beom, to be 1 of 13 Law Enforcement officers from around the world to participate in this prestigious event. The Korean Consulate estimates over 100,000 Koreans reside in Gwinnett County.

This Symposium has the goal of introducing Korean culture and the Korean police system to police officers world-wide which will improve mutual understanding among other countries through the exchange of information on international crime.  This is the 7^th Symposium for the International Police Officers held thus far.  This year officers from 13 different countries will gather in the capital city of Seoul from October 14^th to October 20^th 2012.  The Director General of the Foreign Affairs Bureau stated, “I hope this event will promote a cooperative relationship between our two sides”.

Deputy Sheriff David Kim was born in Seoul Korea and moved to the United States when he was just 2 years old.  Kim graduated from “Palisades Park High School” and went on to obtain his degree in Criminal Justice from, “John Jay College” in New York.  Deputy Sheriff Kim began his career in law enforcement in 2000 with the “Ridgefield Police Department in Ridgefield New Jersey.  He was employed there until 2005, when he moved to Gwinnett County and joined the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office where he  is currently employed in the Fugitive Unit.  Kim stated, “I’m honored to be 1 of 13 chosen for this special event. I would like to thank Sheriff Conway for allowing me the opportunity to represent the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Gwinnett at such a prestigious event." Kim has a younger brother who is also in law enforcement. Both Kim’s parents reside in Seoul Korea.