Yoon Ho-jung, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, has nominated Kim Ji-yong, former chief prosecutor of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office, as the first head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency. In response to concerns about Kim's background as a prosecutor, Yoon emphasized the need to eradicate improper special investigation practices while transferring investigative expertise to the new agency.
During a briefing at the Government Seoul Building on September 7, Yoon stated, "I have decided to respect the recommendations of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency's Candidate Recommendation Committee and nominate Kim Ji-yong among the candidates."
The recommendation committee reviewed candidates submitted by the public on September 4 and recommended four individuals, including Kim, to Yoon. The minister selected Kim based on his expertise in major crime investigations, as well as his fairness, neutrality, and organizational management experience.
Yoon remarked, "The so-called practices of special investigations that the prosecution has maintained must be eradicated, but the investigative expertise of the prosecution should be properly transferred to the Major Crimes Investigation Agency."
He further explained, "Rather than excluding candidates based on their background as prosecutors, I used the criteria of whether they possess the qualities to effectively lead the newly established agency while correctly implementing the intent of prosecutorial reform."
Yoon also addressed questions regarding Kim's previous public statements advocating for direct supplementary investigations by the prosecution during the 'prosecutorial reform' phase, which some argued contradicts the intent of separating investigation and prosecution. Yoon stated, "I do not see this as denying the intent of prosecutorial reform," adding that Kim would have the opportunity to clarify these details during the confirmation hearing.
In response to concerns that the recommendation process was conducted too quickly, Yoon defended the committee's thorough discussion based on the candidate's materials, stating, "The decision was made after considering public recommendations, the committee's review results, and opinions from various sectors."
Kim Ji-yong was born in May 1968 in Buyeo, Chungnam, and graduated from Gongju National University of Education and the law department at Sungkyunkwan University. He passed the 38th National Judicial Examination and completed the 28th Judicial Research and Training Institute.
He has held various key positions, including prosecutor at the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, head of the special investigation unit at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, head of the second trial division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, head of the inspection division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, chief prosecutor of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office, head of the criminal division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and deputy chief prosecutor at the Gwangju High Prosecutors' Office. He is currently practicing as a lawyer at Apex Law Firm.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has evaluated Kim as an expert in criminal justice with experience in investigation, inspection, and trial. His background in managing organizations within major investigative agencies was also cited as a reason for his selection.
The Major Crimes Investigation Agency is set to launch on October 2. A key task for the new head will be to ensure the successful implementation of the reformed criminal justice system that separates investigation and prosecution, while preventing any investigative gaps that may arise in the early stages of operation.
Yoon emphasized, "The Major Crimes Investigation Agency must contribute to the protection of citizens' fundamental rights based solely on law and principles, free from specific interests," and assured that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety would fulfill its responsibility to ensure the agency's successful establishment and trustworthiness as an investigative body.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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