Im Eun-jung, the head of the Gwangju Major Crimes Investigation Agency, reiterated her opposition to Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the agency's inaugural chief. She accused Kim of ignoring her requests for inspections made during her time in the prosecution and indicated she would question his qualifications during the confirmation hearing.
On October 5, Im posted on Facebook, stating, "The first chief of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency should be the first investigator of the agency." She emphasized that the first investigator should exemplify the values the agency stands for and the qualities expected of its public officials.
Im expressed her dismay at the announcement of Kim Ji-yong as the first investigator, saying, "It was disheartening to see someone who should serve as a cautionary tale being appointed as the first investigator."
She cited a complaint she filed in 2018 against Kim, who was then the head of the Inspection Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. Im alleged that her request for an investigation into the negligence of inspection officials regarding the concealment of sexual violence by former prosecutor Jin Dong-kyun was ignored.
Im also pointed out, "I have never heard him say, 'This should not happen,' when the prosecution fails to do what it should."
She mentioned that she had requested information disclosure to verify the handling of her complaint. Im stated, "I have publicly requested that relevant witnesses or informants be called to Kim Ji-yong's confirmation hearing, and I believe I can bring the decision document when I attend the hearing." However, it has not yet been confirmed whether she will be selected as a witness or informant for the hearing.
Previously, while serving as the head of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office last month, Im publicly criticized Kim's background on Facebook. She has continued her opposition even after being appointed as the first head of the Gwangju Major Crimes Investigation Agency on October 2.
Im is scheduled to hold her first press Q&A on October 6 at 8:50 a.m. in front of the Gwangju Major Crimes Investigation Agency, located in the Han-gyeong Building in Buk-gu, Gwangju. This will be her first official meeting with the media since her inauguration, where she will discuss her thoughts on taking office and her plans for the agency's operations.
A member of the 30th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, Im served as a prosecutor in Gwangju in 2007, where she was involved in the first trial of the sexual violence case at Inhwa School, which inspired the film 'The Crucible.' She has also held positions as the inspection officer at the Ministry of Justice and the head of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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