Allegations have emerged that Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the inaugural chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, ignored whistleblower claims during his time as head of the inspection division at the Supreme Prosecutor's Office. A former investigator who reported misconduct related to the Asan Cham Hospital investigation has demanded Kim's resignation, stating that the Supreme Prosecutor's Office did not even summon him for questioning before closing the case.
According to documents obtained by Aju Economy from the former investigator, Choi Mo, he reported allegations of misconduct regarding the Asan Cham Hospital investigation to then-Minister of Justice Park Sang-ki on July 20, 2017. The Ministry of Justice forwarded the report to the Supreme Prosecutor's Office on August 3, and the inspection division notified Choi on January 15 of the following year that the case was closed with no charges. Kim was the head of that division.
Choi investigated the case in 2011 while at the Cheonan District Prosecutor's Office. The issue stemmed from a loan of 3 billion won secured against the assets of a medical corporation, with 660 million won of that amount being related to construction costs. According to Choi, the chairman and the construction contractor received payments through inflated contracts. Although they agreed to return some of the funds, the contractor withdrew the entire amount for personal use.
Choi raised concerns about the appointment process of two attorneys, including a former prosecutor, alleging 'secret representation.' This term refers to involvement in a case without formal appointment, often through personal connections. He explained that after their involvement, the initial investigation in 2009 concluded with no charges.
Following a report from a business partner, prosecutors, including Joo Jin-woo, reopened the investigation, which was reassigned to another prosecutor's office where Choi took over. The chairman and the contractor were convicted of breach of trust and received suspended sentences, while separate charges of breach of trust were ultimately dismissed, according to Choi.
After tracing a check for 60 million won, Choi claimed he was instructed by a senior prosecutor to take statements from the suspects based on their testimonies, raising suspicions of information leaks related to the investigation. He also noted that staff members sought to interview the suspects and inquired about the status of arrest warrants.
Choi submitted an inspection request to a prosecutor in charge of inspections in 2011, but it was not addressed. He added that he faced pressure to delete internal posts the following year and was subsequently transferred to the Nonsan District Prosecutor's Office as a form of retaliation.
Choi has called on the Supreme Prosecutor's Office to investigate allegations of improper requests from former officials, leaks of check tracing results, concealment of inspection cases, and unjust transfers, holding those involved accountable.
However, the Supreme Prosecutor's Office concluded that "the statute of limitations has expired for all allegations, and the claims made by the complainant are insufficient to substantiate misconduct by the individuals involved, nor is there any other evidence to support the complainant's assertions." The notification did not specify the subjects of the investigation or the materials reviewed.
Choi stated that he was not asked to attend any investigative meetings and felt that the questions from the division chief were trivial, responding briefly with comments like, "Read the complaint" and "Call me in for questioning." He maintains that Kim, as the head of the division, cannot evade responsibility for handling the case.
Aju Economy has repeatedly inquired with Kim's team about the investigation and handling process, as well as reporting and approval matters, requesting a response by 3 p.m. on the same day. The only reply received was, "We will provide further comments after reviewing the content."
Earlier, Im Eun-jung, the chief of the Gwangju District Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, also pointed out that a request for an inspection related to the sexual assault case involving former prosecutor Jin Dong-kyun was ignored during Kim's tenure.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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