Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the inaugural head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, expressed a strong commitment to successfully establishing the agency and completing criminal justice reform during a confirmation hearing.
On October 14, at the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee, Kim stated, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility as the nominee for the first head of the newly established Serious Crime Investigation Agency. I will create an institution that earns the public's trust in line with the reform's intent of separating investigation and prosecution."
He emphasized four key tasks to build a trusted agency: protecting human rights, securing professional investigative capabilities, conducting thorough supplementary investigations into crimes against vulnerable groups, and ensuring political neutrality and independence.
Kim first highlighted the importance of 'human rights protection' and 'procedural justice.' He declared, "I will end past practices that raised public concerns, such as targeted investigations, superficial inquiries, and investigations based on prosecution assumptions. We will investigate solely based on evidence and legal principles, and if a crime is not established, we will decisively conclude the investigation."
He also pledged to enhance expertise to respond to increasingly sophisticated serious crimes, including insurrection, corruption, financial and economic crimes, drug offenses, cybercrime, and technology leaks. He stated, "We will actively recruit not only outstanding personnel from the prosecution and police but also private experts, and we will enhance our forensic capabilities to become a specialized investigative agency that uncovers the substantive truth."
Addressing concerns about potential gaps in victim protection due to adjustments in the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, Kim assured, "The criminal justice system exists to protect the lives and safety of the public. The Serious Crime Investigation Agency will thoroughly conduct supplementary investigations into crimes against vulnerable groups to ensure that victim protection is never neglected."
He also promised to secure political neutrality and independence as a power institution. Kim stated, "We will conduct investigations fairly according to law and principles, undeterred by any external pressure, while humbly accepting public oversight and democratic control. We will respond sternly to serious crimes and firmly establish the principles of criminal justice reform, standing strong on the foundation of public trust."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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