Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. [Yonhap]
Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun. [Yonhap]

Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun has shared his views on the potential disciplining of Im Eun-jung, head of the Gwangju branch of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, who came under an internal audit after publicly criticizing Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to lead the agency.

Speaking on his YouTube channel Monday, Kim said he believed Ministry of Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung had the authority to order an audit, given that Im is a civil servant under the ministry's jurisdiction. But he added, "Wasn't it precisely because she didn't stay silent like an ordinary civil servant or prosecutor that we applauded Chief Im?"

Kim acknowledged that criticism was possible — both over whether it was appropriate to unsettle the launch of a newly established organization so soon after the president's nomination, and over the substance of Im's remarks themselves. Still, he said, "Her comments may be uncomfortable, but it would be more in keeping with the Lee Jae Myung government's governing philosophy for those remarks not to lead to disciplinary action."

The controversy began when Im raised questions about Kim Ji-yong's conduct during his time as a prosecutor.

Im argued that Kim had been involved in covering up internal misconduct within the prosecution service and was therefore unfit to serve as the inaugural head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, which was established to reform the prosecution.

In response, Minister Yun ordered an audit, saying Im was "shaking the organization's discipline and mistaking the agency for a political institution."

Im said she found it "unfortunate and disheartening" to have become the agency's first audit target, but vowed to face the situation with composure.


min3654@heraldcorp.com