Reports for first day at confirmation hearing preparation office in Government Complex Seoul's Changseong-dong annex
Once opposed prosecutorial reform bill, says he will address it during hearing
Kim Ji-yong was nominated as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office, which is set to be established in October when the Prosecutors' Office is abolished. He reported for duty at his confirmation hearing preparation team for the first time on Tuesday. Kim said that if he is appointed to lead the agency, he will work to quickly stabilize the organization so there are no gaps in responding to serious crimes.
Reporting for duty at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the confirmation hearing preparation team's office set up at the Government Complex Seoul annex in Changseong-dong, Jongno-gu, Kim met with reporters. He said, "Being nominated as the head of the newly created Serious Crimes Investigation Office amid a major shift in the criminal justice system weighs heavily on me, given the immense responsibility." He added, "If the confirmation hearing process concludes and I am given the opportunity to work, I will do my best to quickly stabilize the organization so that there is not the slightest gap in the country's response to serious crimes."
Asked how he would ensure the political neutrality of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office and the independence of its investigations, Kim said, "Fairness, neutrality and procedural justice are extremely important aspects for the Serious Crimes Investigation Office," adding, "I will explain this in detail during the confirmation hearing process."
While serving as a senior prosecutor in 2022, Kim had publicly opposed the National Assembly's bill known as "geomsuwanbak," which would have completely stripped prosecutors of their investigative powers. This raised questions, mainly in political circles, over whether he was fit to become the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office. The office is being established under the principle of separating investigation from indictment. Asked by reporters whether his views had changed, Kim was circumspect, saying only, "I will faithfully explain this during the confirmation hearing process."
"This is a critical period, and I will do my utmost to help the Serious Crimes Investigation Office settle in quickly, so that the public has no concerns and no one feels wronged during the investigation process," Kim said before entering his office.
Earlier, Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung announced Monday that he was recommending Kim Ji-yong as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office. Kim is an attorney at law firm Apex. Yun described Kim as an investigation and legal expert who has built up extensive experience in criminal justice fields such as investigation, inspection and trial proceedings.
President Lee Jae Myung, who is on a trip to France, decided Monday (local time) to nominate attorney Kim Ji-yong as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office. Minister Yun had recommended Kim for the post. Cheong Wa Dae Senior Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said at a local briefing, "We expect him to successfully lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Office."
The head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office serves a two-year term and cannot be reappointed. The position is filled through a process in which the interior and safety minister recommends a candidate and the president nominates that candidate. A confirmation hearing is then held, after which the president makes the final appointment.
bell@heraldcorp.com
