Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the inaugural head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, has firmly rebutted allegations of being 'pro-Yoon' (supportive of President Yoon Suk Yeol). He asserted that his opposition to the abolition of supplementary investigative powers in the past was motivated by a concern for victims, not the prosecution.
On September 14, Kim addressed reporters in the lobby of the Government Seoul Building in Jongno, Seoul, where he shared his stance on various allegations surrounding him.
In response to claims that he is a 'pro-Yoon' prosecutor, Kim stated, "I was demoted during the first prosecutor appointment after the Yoon Suk Yeol administration took office, and I retired in September 2023, about a year later. I have never been classified as close to any specific individual or received any benefits during my time in the prosecution."
Regarding his past opposition to the abolition of supplementary investigative powers, he explained, "My advocacy for the necessity of supplementary investigations was not for the benefit of the prosecution but stemmed from a belief that there should be no gaps in protecting crime victims."
He added, "I deeply reflect on the fact that the prosecution, which I was part of, lost public trust and led to its abolition. I fully agree with the fundamental principle of separating investigation and prosecution as part of criminal justice reform."
Kim emphasized, "I respect the National Assembly's intent behind amending the Criminal Procedure Act. It is now time to focus on successfully establishing the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and ensuring that the new criminal justice system takes root with public trust."
Kim's clarifications come amid rising criticism from within the ruling party. Some factions of the Democratic Party and the Justice Innovation Party have raised concerns about the appropriateness of Kim's nomination, given his 24 years of service in the prosecution. They argue that a prosecutor's background is incompatible with the newly established Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, which was created to separate investigative and prosecutorial powers.
Notably, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min recently urged Kim to resign, stating, "The nominee has consistently acted as a typical 'pro-Yoon political prosecutor,' opposing the disciplinary action against Yoon Suk Yeol, overseeing the excessive prosecution of Prosecutor Jin Jeong-woong related to Han Dong-hoon, and directing the prosecution in the illegal exit case of Kim Hak-ui."
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung also publicly criticized the nomination, stating on September 12, "If someone who was aligned with Han Dong-hoon becomes the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, is that democracy?"
As the controversy within the ruling party continues, the Blue House has adopted a cautious approach and has begun additional verification of Kim's nomination.
President Lee Jae-myung reportedly instructed Blue House staff to conduct a thorough review of Kim's qualifications shortly after returning from a recent trip to France. Consequently, the submission of the nomination request to the National Assembly, initially expected around this time, is likely to be postponed until after the Chuseok holiday.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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