Confirmation Hearing Request for Kim Ji-yong Endorsed; 4-Hour Dinner with Jung Chung-rae

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung has endorsed the confirmation hearing request for Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. Amid calls from many hardliners on prosecution reform within the broader ruling bloc demanding the withdrawal of Kim's nomination, President Lee held a dinner with former party leader Jung Chung-rae, who is considered one of the hardliners.

Ha Jeong-yeon reports.

[Reporter]

Shortly after sending to the National Assembly the confirmation hearing request for Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency—whom some within the broader ruling camp have accused of being a "pro-Yoon prosecutor" while demanding his nomination be withdrawn—President Lee Jae-myung wrote on social media, "Worldly affairs are not one-dimensional." He added, "Looking at how nominee Kim was demoted and pushed out by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, wouldn't it be difficult, at the very least, to conclude that he is 'pro-Yoon'?"

However, he left room for discretion, stating, "I will decide on the final appointment after going through the confirmation hearing."

Cheong Wa Dae disclosed that President Lee had dinner on Thursday night (October 1) with former Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae, a hardliner on prosecution reform, stating that "a deep consensus was formed through candid dialogue."

Although Cheong Wa Dae maintains the position that "the issue of the nominee for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency chief and the dinner with former leader Jung are separate matters," many in the Yeouido political circle interpret the move as an effort to ease internal pushback within the broader ruling bloc.

However, the Rebuilding Korea Party remains unyielding in its opposition, and Democratic Party Lawmaker Kim Yong-min held a press conference calling for the withdrawal of the nomination, as backlash from hardliners within the broader ruling bloc continues.

[Kim Yong-min / Democratic Party Lawmaker: The nominee for the inaugural chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is someone who has opposed prosecution reform. If this continues, there is concern that investigation and indictment, which were separated by law, could be reunited as one body at any time.]

Nominee Kim Ji-yong stated, "I will fulfill my duty for prosecution reform," adding that he would "explain everything at the confirmation hearing."

[Kim Ji-yong / Nominee for Chief of Serious Crimes Investigation Agency: (There are still claims that you are 'pro-Yoon.' How do you plan to resolve this?) I will explain that matter in detail at the confirmation hearing.]

While pro-Lee Jae-myung Democratic Party lawmakers voiced support for "respecting the president's appointment power," the Democratic Party stated it would proceed with the hearing according to procedure, and the People Power Party vowed to thoroughly vet the candidate, citing public concern over the potential disruption of the criminal justice system.

Video by Lee Seung-hwan | Video Editing by Park Seon-soo
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.