Kim Ji-yong, Nominee for Chief of Serious Crime Investigation Agency: "My Past Call for Supplementary Investigations Was Not for the Prosecution"

[Financial News] Kim Ji-yong, nominee for chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, explained that his past argument for the need for supplementary investigations by prosecutors "was not for the prosecution." He expressed support for the principle of separating investigations from indictments and denied being close to any particular person.
During a doorstepping session held on the 14th at the personnel hearing preparation team office in Jongno District, Seoul, Kim said, "I am deeply reflecting on the fact that the prosecution, where I once served, lost the public's trust and ultimately came to face abolition." He added, "I strongly support the fundamental principle of criminal justice reform: separating investigations from indictments."
Regarding his past argument that prosecutors needed to conduct supplementary investigations, he said, "It was not for the prosecution, but stemmed from my concern and conviction that there should be no gap in protecting crime victims." He added, "Now is the time to respect the intent of the National Assembly's legislation and successfully establish the Serious Crime Investigation Agency."
He also rejected allegations that he was close to a particular political faction. Kim emphasized, "I was demoted in the first prosecutorial personnel reshuffle carried out after the Yoon Suk Yeol administration took office, and I retired about a year later, in September 2023." He continued, "During my time in the prosecution, I was never classified as being close to any particular person, nor did I ever receive benefits for that reason."
He added, "If appointed chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, I will comply with the revised laws as a public official and do my utmost to ensure that the protection of the people's rights and interests is not neglected in any way during the implementation of the law."
Earlier, members of the ruling camp had cited Kim's opposition, when he was a senior prosecutor, to Choo Mi-ae, who was then the nominee for minister of the Ministry of Justice, as well as his opposition to stripping the prosecution of its investigative powers, as grounds for disqualification. Reports also emerged that Cheong Wa Dae had begun additional vetting of Kim.
[email protected] Choi Eun-sol Reporter