Senior spokesperson Kang Yu-jung briefs reporters at Paris press center

Kim Ji-yong, nominee for director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. [Apex Law Firm]
Kim Ji-yong, nominee for director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. [Apex Law Firm]

President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to France, has decided to nominate attorney Kim Ji-yong — recommended by Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung — as the first director of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.

Cheong Wa Dae Senior Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung announced the decision Monday (local time) at a briefing held at a press center in central Paris.

Kang said Lee plans to request a confirmation hearing for Kim before the National Assembly, adding that Kim "is considered the right person to quickly establish the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, which is set to launch on Oct. 2, given his expertise as a legal specialist in criminal investigations."

She added that the president expects Kim "to successfully lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency based on his investigative experience and organizational management capabilities under the new criminal justice framework that separates investigation from prosecution."

Earlier, Minister Yun held a briefing at Government Complex Seoul on Monday to announce his plan to recommend Kim for the post.

Kim is managing partner at Apex Law Firm and a graduate of the 28th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. He previously served as head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's criminal division and as deputy chief prosecutor of the Gwangju High Prosecutors' Office. He was promoted to prosecutor general in August 2020 during then-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's tenure, under a policy that prioritized criminal trial divisions.

Meanwhile, Kim has publicly argued that prosecutors should retain supplementary investigative powers.

In this regard, Minister Yun said he does not view Kim's position as a denial of the spirit of prosecutorial reform, adding that "the nominee will have an opportunity to clarify the details himself during the confirmation hearing."


sang@heraldcorp.com