Kim Ji-yong, nominee for inaugural Serious Crimes Investigation Agency chief, vows to fulfill prosecutorial reform

Kim Ji-yong, nominee for the inaugural chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, said Friday that he would devote himself to realizing the spirit of prosecutorial reform if given the opportunity to lead the agency.

Kim made the remarks Friday afternoon while meeting reporters at the Changseong-dong annex of Government Complex Seoul, where his confirmation hearing preparation office is located. "As I went through the additional vetting process, I listened with a heavy heart to the voices of citizens who worry that prosecutorial reform may be reversed," he said.

"I have also felt anew how strong and solemn the public's desire for the success of the new criminal justice system is," Kim said. "I have things I would like to say in response to the concerns raised in the media and elsewhere, but I will regard those too as the voice of the people, listen humbly, and prepare sincerely for the confirmation hearing."

He added that he would explain his positions in detail to the public at the upcoming hearing. "I will also speak at length about my vision and resolve as the nominee for agency chief, and about the direction the agency should take," he said.

Kim said he would commit all his efforts to ensuring the agency quickly establishes itself as an investigative body fully equipped to respond to serious crimes and dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of the public and victims.

Asked about criticism that the agency had launched without a director — a situation described as a train leaving with the doors open — Kim said he was monitoring the situation through various channels. "If the hearing concludes and I am given the opportunity to work, I will quickly address any shortcomings and help the agency get on track as soon as possible," he said.

Earlier Friday, Cheong Wa Dae Senior Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said President Lee Jae Myung had approved the request for a National Assembly confirmation hearing for Kim on Thursday.

President Lee also addressed the matter directly in a post on X, formerly Twitter, in connection with the submission of the confirmation hearing request to the National Assembly. "I will first put it through the National Assembly confirmation hearing and then make a final decision on whether to proceed with the appointment," he wrote. Lee shared a post from a user opposing Kim's appointment and added: "The world is not so straightforward. It is generally very complex — especially when it comes to evaluating people."

On the controversy over whether Kim is aligned with former President Yoon Suk Yeol — the so-called "pro-Yoon prosecutor" label — Lee said there were factors both for and against that characterization. "But considering that he ordered a reinvestigation into the case in which charges were dropped against President Yoon's mother-in-law for alleged subornation of perjury, and was subsequently demoted by President Yoon and in effect driven out of the prosecution service, it seems difficult to conclude that he is pro-Yoon," Lee wrote.