Im Eun-jung Calls for Urgent Overhaul of Investigation System at New Crime Agency

Im Eun-jung, the inaugural head of the Gwangju Regional Central Investigation Agency, acknowledged the agency's launch amid inadequate preparations but vowed to conduct restrained investigations moving forward. She reiterated her opposition to the appointment of Kim Ji-yong as the agency's head.

On October 6, while arriving at the Gwangju Central Investigation Agency, Im told reporters, "The agency opened without sufficient preparation," adding, "It is urgent to normalize the organization and overhaul the investigation system."

She explained, "An investigative agency relies on security, and simply having dozens of desks and people in a large hall does not mean the system is organized. I believe this is not something that can be resolved in a month or two."

Im also referenced an email she sent to then-Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho in early June, suggesting a review of the agency's launch timeline. She stated, "This is the first structural reform of investigations in 78 years, and there is too much to prepare. A year is too short, making immediate operation impossible."

She emphasized, "If we are not fair, we will not gain the trust of the public, and no one will accept the results of the investigations. I believe we must avoid investigations that resemble those of the past prosecutors, where they would dig until something surfaced, even compromising family members. Such unrestrained investigations will not happen at the Gwangju agency."

Regarding Kim, she remarked, "It has become somewhat clear that he has been involved in various unsavory matters in the command line. He claims to have expressed dissent, but to my knowledge, he has not submitted any objections and has signed off on everything."

Im added, "It is a public official's duty to speak the truth, and I believe it is a citizen's obligation and right. I sincerely hope that the Central Investigation Agency will not repeat the unfortunate events that led to the abolition of the prosecutor's office."

Previously, on her Facebook page, Im stated, "The first head of the Central Investigation Agency should not be someone who serves as a cautionary tale. Hearing the announcement of Kim Ji-yong as the candidate left me in shock."

She further noted, "Unlike when defending prosecutorial power and organization, I have never heard him say that we should not do what prosecutors should not do or that we should do what prosecutors must do."