Yun Ho-jung: "Kim Ji-yong’s nomination as Serious Crime Investigation Agency chief is not on hold; vetting is underway"

[Financial News] Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung said on September 15 that the nomination of Kim Ji-yong as the inaugural head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency had not been put on hold. However, he avoided answering whether Kim’s nomination could be withdrawn, saying that it was a matter concerning the president’s personnel authority.
At a plenary meeting of the National Assembly’s Security and Public Administration Committee that day, Minister Yun answered "No" when Kwon Young-jin, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, asked, "Has Kim Ji-yong’s nomination as head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency been put on hold?"
When Kwon asked again whether the nomination could be withdrawn, citing opposition within the ruling party, Minister Yun said, "There was also a press conference with the nominee yesterday, and I believe all these factors will be considered comprehensively." He added, "Whether to request a confirmation hearing and whether to appoint him are matters concerning personnel authority. I performed my role as the authority responsible for recommending the nominee, but it would not be appropriate for me to comment on what happens afterward."
The request for a confirmation hearing on Kim’s nomination was initially expected to be submitted to the National Assembly on September 14, but it has not yet been filed. After it became known that President Lee Jae Myung had ordered additional vetting of Kim, political circles also began discussing the possibility that the nomination could be withdrawn.
Minister Yun explained the delay in requesting the confirmation hearing, saying, "As public interest in the nominee has grown, the process is taking a little longer because we are conducting a more thorough vetting."
The controversy surrounding Kim emerged after reports revealed that he had previously argued for maintaining prosecutors’ supplementary investigative powers. Some members of the Democratic Party of Korea criticized him, saying that his position was inconsistent with the purpose of prosecutorial reform, which centers on separating investigations from indictments.
Kim responded to reporters the previous day, saying, "I argued in the past for the need for supplementary investigations because of my concern and conviction that there should be no gap in protecting crime victims." He added, "I strongly support the fundamental principle of criminal justice reform: separating investigations from indictments."
Minister Yun also explained the staffing situation at the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, which is scheduled to launch on October 2. He said, "About 1,700 people, including prosecutors and investigators, applied in the first round, and we are accepting additional applications starting today." If the agency fails to fill its quota through the additional recruitment, it plans to hire experienced personnel from outside the organization. Minister Yun said, "For the remaining positions, we plan to hire lawyers, accountants, financial experts, police officers and others with experience in criminal investigations through experienced-hire recruitment."


[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter