The National Assembly will hold a confirmation hearing for Kim Ji-yong, the first nominee for the Chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, on October 14. Key issues will include Kim's actions during his time as a prosecutor and the agency's political neutrality and independence in investigations. Notably, even the ruling party, which typically supports nominees, is preparing for a rigorous vetting process.
According to legal sources on October 11, the National Assembly will convene the hearing to assess Kim's qualifications and moral integrity, more than 40 days after President Lee Jae-myung announced his nomination on September 7.
Concerns have been raised by hardliners within the ruling party regarding Kim, a former prosecutor general who opposed the so-called "complete deprivation of prosecutorial investigative authority" legislation and the suspension of then-Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. This has delayed the submission of the confirmation request by nearly three weeks.
Hardliners continue to express their dissent. On October 8, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sung-yoon criticized Kim during a National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Justice, stating, "Kim participated in the collective action of 17 prosecutors opposing Yoon's disciplinary measures, leading to a 'prosecutorial rebellion.'" Kim Yong-min, a fellow party member who has championed prosecutorial reform, also condemned Kim, asserting that he has historically opposed such reforms.
During the confirmation hearing, allegations regarding Kim's pro-Yoon stance and his opposition to prosecutorial reform are expected to be central issues. Park Joo-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker on the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee, indicated that thorough scrutiny will be conducted if any suspicious aspects arise.
However, there is a growing sentiment within the party leadership to support Kim. Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok remarked, "If individual opinions have been sufficiently expressed, it is better to address them through the confirmation hearing." He added that excessive demands or claims could jeopardize the overall reform movement and the president's leadership.
President Lee has also urged hardliners to exercise restraint. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on October 9, he noted, "While pure radicalism is a concern, it is more problematic when individuals who lack the capability demand significant positions and attempt to manipulate appointments or national policies, only to resort to radical reform as a justification for internal attacks when things do not go as planned."
The People Power Party is expected to target Yoon Ho-jung, the Minister of Administrative Safety who nominated Kim, rather than Kim himself. They plan to hold him accountable for the agency's lack of personnel and office space as it begins operations without a confirmed chief.
Kim Ji-yong has expressed his commitment to pursuing prosecutorial reform as he prepares for the hearing. In a press conference on October 8, he stated, "I will eliminate the politicization of investigations." He further emphasized, "I will firmly uphold political neutrality and the independence of investigations, conducting thorough and fair investigations based on law and principles, regardless of political affiliation, to establish the agency as a trusted professional investigative body in the eyes of the public."
Meanwhile, Minister Yoon has directed an investigation into Im Eun-jung, the Gwangju Serious Crimes Investigation Agency chief, who has publicly criticized Kim. Yoon stated on X that Im seems to confuse the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency with a political institution and announced that he would instruct the agency to initiate an investigation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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