Confirmation hearing set for Oct. 14

Kim pledges fair investigations regardless of political affiliation

Kim Ji-yong, nominee to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, speaks to reporters at the Changseong-dong annex of Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Friday, where his confirmation hearing preparation office is located. [Yonhap]
Kim Ji-yong, nominee to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, speaks to reporters at the Changseong-dong annex of Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Friday, where his confirmation hearing preparation office is located. [Yonhap]

Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, said Thursday he would "root out the politicization of investigations," even as hardliners within the ruling camp continue to oppose his appointment and delay the selection process.

Kim made the remarks as he arrived at his confirmation hearing preparation office at the Changseong-dong annex of Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, saying he wanted to share his vision for how he would lead the agency ahead of the upcoming hearing.

"I feel deeply the harm caused when prosecutors carried out targeted investigations and sweeping dragnet-style probes for political purposes — abuses so severe they ultimately led to the abolition of the prosecution itself," he said.

He pledged that the agency would uphold political neutrality and investigative independence, conducting rigorous and impartial investigations based on the law and principles regardless of political affiliation. "We will also crack down on insurrection crimes and strictly correct any conduct that undermines national discipline," he said.

Kim went on to say the agency would pursue corruption, financial and white-collar crimes without favor. "We will investigate fairly, without taking sides, and bring those responsible to justice," he said, adding that he would immediately form a dedicated team upon taking office to organize personnel, facilities and systems for the agency's early stabilization.

Kim said he would recruit not only former prosecutors but also specialists from various fields, including police officers, lawyers and accountants.

"I will do my best to ensure that the criminal justice reform principle of separating investigation from indictment is faithfully realized through the agency, and that there is not a single gap in protecting society's vulnerable and crime victims," he added.

Hardliners within the ruling camp — including Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae and Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Yong-min — have publicly opposed Kim's appointment, citing cases he oversaw during his time as a prosecutor and labeling him a loyalist of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and a "prosecutorialist."

After hardliners within the ruling camp delayed the process, Cheong Wa Dae submitted a formal request for a confirmation hearing to the National Assembly following additional vetting, setting the hearing for Oct. 14.


bell@heraldcorp.com