During the confirmation hearing for Kim Ji-yong, the first nominee for the Director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over his past conduct while serving in the prosecution and the controversy surrounding his ties to pro-Yoon prosecutors.
On October 14, at the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Joo-min criticized Kim by referencing the case involving former Justice Ministry official Kim Hak-eui and the prosecution of prosecutor Jeong Jin-woong for assault.
Park questioned whether Kim had recorded any dissenting opinions during the approval process for the Kim Hak-eui case, stating, "You approved the indictment at that time and did not even submit an objection." When Kim replied that he had not kept a separate record, Park pressed, "The objection system was created to address situations where frontline prosecutors find it difficult to refuse under the principle of prosecutor unity. Why was it not utilized?"
Park further stated, "In legal terms, a person who opens the door for a thief is considered an accomplice to theft," adding that based on Kim's actions, he could be seen as an "accomplice to political prosecutors." Kim remained silent in response to Park's criticism.
Park continued, "As a result of your actions, prosecutor Lee Gyu-won left the prosecution, and former Blue House civil affairs secretary Lee Kwang-cheol only received a not guilty verdict after going to the Supreme Court. Your past actions are a cause for the need to reform the prosecution, raising doubts about your suitability as the first director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency."
Park also challenged Kim's past shift in attitude regarding the principle of separating investigation and prosecution. He referred to documents related to the "Prosecution and Police Authority Adjustment Bill" drafted during Kim's tenure as head of the Criminal Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, pressing Kim on the prosecution's previous claims. The documents stated that a bill allowing only police-requested warrants would clearly violate the Constitution and hinder prompt arrests and victim relief.
When Park pointed out discrepancies with the current criminal procedure law, Kim admitted, "Looking at the current content, what we said was incorrect." When Park asked if Kim had changed his stance to become the director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, Kim squinted his eyes and replied, "That is not the case," but did not provide further clarification.
Questions also arose regarding Kim's involvement in a statement opposing the disciplinary action against former President Yoon Suk-yeol. When Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jeong-hyun asked why he was labeled as pro-Yoon, Kim responded, "I do not know either." Regarding his reasons for joining the opposition statement, Kim noted, "I pointed out procedural flaws," but added, "Looking back now, there are certainly parts that warrant disciplinary action, and I wonder if there were no other options at that time," bowing his head.
Opposition lawmakers from the People Power Party focused on verifying Kim's political neutrality and the independence of investigations. Lawmaker Kang Myung-gu criticized the internal conflicts surrounding the verification process within the ruling party, stating, "It feels like the committee members who should conduct the confirmation hearing have become fools," while also questioning Kim about the investigations into the Daejang-dong and North Korean remittance cases. Kim responded, "I understand that the Ministry of Justice is reviewing them again," and refrained from further comments.
Kim promised to reform the organizational culture of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and implement a responsibility-based investigation system. In response to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Jin Jong-o about resolving long-standing unsolved cases, Kim emphasized, "We will not consider an investigation complete once it is transferred; we will implement a 'responsibility investigation system' that holds investigators accountable until prosecution and conviction." He also stated that to differentiate from the prosecution, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency would hire various investigative experts to ensure diversity in its organizational culture.
Regarding concerns over the exercise of investigative authority by the Minister of the Interior and Safety, Kim indicated the possibility of establishing internal control mechanisms. When People Power Party lawmaker Seo Myung-ok inquired about plans to complete internal guidelines limiting the minister's involvement in specific political cases, Kim replied, "There is a legal control system, but if necessary, we will create internal regulations."
In response to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young, Kim stated, "During my time as a prosecutor, I never considered political backgrounds; I only followed the law, facts, and legal principles."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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