Minister Yun Ho-jung: "There Is No Problem with Candidate Kim Ji-yong’s Philosophy on Prosecutorial Reform"

[Financial News]   Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung said on the 9th that he understood there was "no problem with Candidate Kim Ji-yong’s basic philosophy regarding current prosecutorial reform, the protection of citizens’ human rights, and the realization of social justice," in response to criticism that Kim, the nominee to become the first head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, had opposed efforts to reduce the prosecution’s investigative authority in the past.
Minister Yun gave the response during a full meeting of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, replying to a question from Yun Sang-hyun of the People Power Party, who asked whether Kim, having previously opposed reducing the prosecution’s investigative authority, did not share the philosophy of prosecutorial reform.
While serving as chief of the Criminal Affairs Department at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office of the Republic of Korea in 2022, Kim stated his opposition to abolishing the prosecution’s authority to conduct supplementary investigations when legislation commonly known as the “complete deprivation of the prosecution’s investigative authority” was being pursued. Some opposition figures subsequently criticized him as an unsuitable appointee because his position did not align with the goal of prosecutorial reform, which is to separate investigations from indictments.
Minister Yun explained, "I have been informed that Candidate Kim was thoroughly vetted through the Committee for Recommending Candidates for the Head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency. Since he was serving as chief of the Criminal Affairs Department at the SPO at the time, I understand that he expressed the SPO’s position on its authority to conduct supplementary investigations from the standpoint of someone responsible for an organization primarily handling such investigations."
In response to criticism that preparations for the Serious Crime Investigation Agency’s personnel, equipment, and criminal justice information system were inadequate ahead of its launch on October 2, he reiterated that there would be no problem with its official opening.
Minister Yun said, "We decided to provide the essential equipment and systems. There is no major problem with staffing because the original plan was not to fill every position at the same time as the agency opened. We first planned to secure personnel transferred from the prosecution service and then hire experienced personnel to cover any shortfall."
Regarding criticism that insufficient numbers of prosecutors had transferred to the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, which will handle serious crimes requiring specialized expertise, including corruption, economic crimes, narcotics, and defense procurement, he said, "Our goal was not to fill every position with people from the prosecution service. We understand that sufficient personnel have been secured."

[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter