Cheong Wa Dae: "Closely Reviewing" Kim Ji-yong, Hard to Specify Timeline

Cheong Wa Dae Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung stated today (September 19) regarding the additional vetting of attorney Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to lead the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, that the presidential office is "looking into the matter quite closely."

Appearing on MBC Radio, Kang made the remark in response to the host's question about when the issue regarding the nominee's appointment would be resolved, saying, "As I understand it, additional vetting is still underway, so it is difficult to specify a timeline just yet."

"Many people have voiced various concerns [about attorney Kim], haven't they?" Kang said. "We are not overlooking those comments and are currently conducting additional verification regarding those aspects as well."

Earlier, on September 7, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung recommended Kim as the inaugural head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency. Cheong Wa Dae initially announced that President Lee had decided to nominate Kim and would soon request a confirmation hearing from the National Assembly.

However, President Lee ordered additional vetting after returning from a trip to France on September 10, and a confirmation hearing request has not yet been submitted to the National Assembly.

The prevailing view is that the re-examination was ordered due to backlash centered around hardliners within the broader ruling bloc, who argue that Kim, a former prosecutor, previously opposed prosecution reform.

In particular, Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae of the Democratic Party has fiercely criticized Kim, comparing him to a "mole" and Nazi war criminal "Adolf Eichmann," and questioning, "Why be so anxious while piggybacking on forces of insurrection?"

(Photo: Yonhap News)
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