Yun Ho-jung Says He Is "Deeply Apologetic" Over Launch of Serious Crime Investigation Agency Without a Chief [2026 Parliamentary Audit]

[Financial News] Yun Ho-jung, minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), said on the 6th that he was "deeply apologetic" about the Serious Crime Investigation Agency launching without a chief on the 2nd, despite having done his best.
Yun made the remarks at a parliamentary audit of MOIS held by the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea's Security and Public Administration Committee after Kwon Young-jin, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, pointed out, "The public is anxious and concerned that the Serious Crime Investigation Agency was launched without a chief."
Earlier, on September 7, Yun recommended Kim Ji-yong, a lawyer and former prosecutor, as a candidate for chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency. The following day, President Lee Jae Myung nominated him for the position.
However, calls to withdraw Kim's nomination, led by hardliners within the ruling party, delayed the submission of the request for a confirmation hearing to the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. President Lee approved the request on the 1st, and it was submitted to the National Assembly the following day.
Kwon said, "Since it took more than three weeks—nearly a month—to send the confirmation hearing request to the National Assembly, you are now in a situation where you have not been able to properly prepare for either the parliamentary audit or the confirmation hearing. Shouldn't you at least express regret to the National Assembly?"
Yun replied, "We should have allowed sufficient time for the nominee to be vetted through the confirmation hearing. We made every effort to complete the confirmation hearing and appointment procedures before the agency's launch, but things did not work out." He added, "I would like to apologize for submitting the confirmation hearing request so late."
Yun also explained the plan to fill vacancies at the Serious Crime Investigation Agency. "We plan to fill about 15% of the positions through career-based competitive recruitment, bringing in police officers, private-practice lawyers, accountants and others," he said. "The remaining 10% will be left open for new hires next year." He continued, "Career-based recruitment can begin immediately and can be carried out whenever there are vacancies. Special appointments involving personnel transfers from the Public Prosecution Office can be made through next April."
[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter