[Anchor]
President Lee Jae-myung has approved the confirmation hearing request for Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Major Crimes Investigation Agency. Amid calls from prosecution reform hardliners in the broader ruling bloc demanding the withdrawal of Kim's nomination, President Lee had dinner with former party leader Jung Chung-rae, who is considered one of the hardliners.
Ha Jeongyeon reports.
[Reporter]
Shortly after sending the confirmation hearing request to the National Assembly for Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Major Crimes Investigation Agency—whom some within the broader ruling bloc have urged to withdraw over allegations of being a "pro-Yoon prosecutor"—President Lee Jae-myung posted on social media that "life's affairs are not one-dimensional." He wrote, "Seeing that Nominee Kim was demoted and ousted by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, isn't it difficult at the very least to conclude that he is 'pro-Yoon'?"
However, he left room open, stating, "I will decide whether to make the final appointment after going through the confirmation hearing."
Cheong Wa Dae revealed that President Lee had dinner with former Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae, a hardliner on prosecution reform, two days ago on the night of October 1, stating that they "formed a deep mutual understanding through a candid conversation."
While Cheong Wa Dae maintained the position that "the issue of the nominee to head the Major Crimes Investigation Agency and the dinner with former leader Jung are separate matters," many in the Yeouido political arena interpret the move as an effort to ease internal pushback within the broader ruling bloc.
However, the Rebuilding Korea Party remains steadfast in its opposition, and Democratic Party Lawmaker Kim Yong-min held a press conference calling for the nomination's withdrawal, as resistance among hardliners in the broader ruling bloc continues.
[Kim Yong-min / Democratic Party Lawmaker: The nominee to become the inaugural head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency is a figure who has opposed prosecution reform. If this continues, there is concern that investigation and prosecution, which were separated by law, could once again become one at any time.]
Nominee Kim Ji-yong stated that he would "fulfill his duty of prosecution reform" and "explain everything at the confirmation hearing."
[Kim Ji-yong / Nominee for Head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency: (There are still claims that you are "pro-Yoon." How do you intend to address this?) I will explain that in detail during the confirmation hearing.]
As pro-Lee Democratic Party lawmakers voiced support for "respecting the president's appointment authority," the Democratic Party stated it would proceed with the hearing according to procedure, while the People Power Party vowed to thoroughly vet the nominee, noting that the public has strong concerns over the collapse of the criminal justice system.
(Video by Lee Seung-hwan | Video Editing by Park Seon-soo)
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