As the confirmation hearing for Kim Ji-yong, the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, approaches in two days, criticism from hardliners within the ruling party continues. Despite appeals from President Lee Jae-myung and Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, dissenting voices persist regarding the personnel vetting process.
On October 12, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Joo-min stated on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that he plans to address Kim's strong opposition to the adjustment of investigative rights while he was a prosecutor during the confirmation hearing scheduled for October 14. Park is a member of the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee, which will oversee Kim's hearing.
He also indicated that he would investigate allegations of Kim's ties to the 'pro-Yoon (Yoon Seok-yeol faction)' prosecutors. Park criticized Kim for leading a collective expression of opinion against Yoon Seok-yeol's disciplinary action when he was the Prosecutor General in 2020. He emphasized, "I have repeatedly raised concerns about prosecutors acting as if they are above the law, and I will address this issue as well."
Kim Yong-min, a fellow party member who has been at the forefront of prosecutorial reform, expressed his intention to maintain opposition to Kim's appointment despite the party's calls for restraint. On his Facebook page, he stated, "I entered politics to achieve specific goals, not to seek positions. I am marching forward with my comrades for a fair society through prosecutorial and judicial reform," adding, "Even if I lose that authority, I will continue to advance."
This statement appears to directly counter President Lee's remarks on October 9, where he criticized those who demand significant positions without the necessary capabilities, suggesting that they use radical reform as a pretext for internal attacks when things do not go their way.
Kim also refuted the President's claim that most advocates for prosecutorial reform, including the Justice Innovation Party, suggested placing the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency under the Ministry of Justice. He clarified on Facebook that he has never proposed placing the agency under the ministry, as the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency law he introduced in 2021 was designed as an independent investigative body. He criticized the government's recent amendments to the prosecution office structure, stating, "Prosecutorial reform is regressing."
In response to the ongoing internal criticism, Kim Min-seok expressed concern and urged restraint. During a Democratic Party YouTube session, he addressed questions regarding President Lee's October 9 remarks, stating, "Criticism should be expressed in a manner appropriate to one's position and role, rather than in a way that appears unfocused and inappropriate."
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which oversees the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, has also initiated internal measures. Minister Yoon Ho-jung ordered an investigation into Lim Eun-jung, the head of the Gwangju Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, who publicly criticized Kim. Yoon emphasized the need for strict responses to actions that disrupt the organization.
On his way to work, Yoon explained, "Lim had already expressed her opinions while at the prosecution, and I see it as problematic that she continues to voice her concerns after taking on a role at the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. I have instructed an investigation to determine whether this constitutes political behavior using her position."
Yoon also stressed that the practices of the past should not be repeated at the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. He criticized the leniency in disciplinary actions among prosecutors, stating, "In the past, the Ministry of Justice handled disciplinary matters among prosecutors, leading to a very lenient approach. Allowing collective actions to go unpunished was a longstanding practice. Such behavior will no longer be tolerated at the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, and this applies to all investigators there, not just Lim."
In response, Lim expressed her disappointment on Facebook, stating, "While it may not be as significant as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency being Kim Ji-yong, it is unfortunate and disheartening that I have become the first subject of investigation. I will handle this with a sense of duty."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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