• Korean Security Journal
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• no.37
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• pp.221-246
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• 2013

The purpose of this research is to analyze authority and expertise of internally-selected Director of Presidential Security Service (PSS) through case-studies of the 9th Director of PSS Sang-Bum Park and the 13th Director of PSS Sang-Kuk Yeom, and to provide suggestions as to how to improve the expertise of PSS director and how to make PSS more trusted by the president and citizens. To do so, this study employs qualitative research on various references while acquiring testimonies from an expert group. The result of the research is as follows. First, the 9th Director of PSS Sang-Bum Park and the 13th Director of PSS Sang-Kuk Yeom are categorized as non-authoritative Director of Presidential Security Service. Second the 9th Director of PSS Sang-Bum Park and the 13th Director of PSS Sang-Kuk Yeom are categorized as expert-type Director of Presidential Security Service. It must be acknowledged that the authority of PSS directors does not come from close relationship with president or physical distance, but from legality and professionalism. Therefore, when appointing a person who is in charge of his/her own safety, the president must consider national security and professionalism in order to succeed as a ready president.