Kim Ji-yong Issues First Stance: "Lim Eun-jeong Undermines Organizational Discipline"

[Anchor]

While withholding comment on remarks by Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who has voiced opposition to his appointment, Kim Ji-yong, candidate for the chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, has released an official stance regarding Lim Eun-jeong, head of the Gwangju Serious Crimes Investigation Office, who has publicly criticized him. He emphasized that public criticism is an inappropriate act that undermines organizational discipline and stated that he will formulate effective measures.

Reporter Kim Deok-hyeon has the details.

[Reporter]

Candidate Kim Ji-yong has released a statement regarding Gwangju Serious Crimes Investigation Office Head Lim Eun-jeong, who became the subject of the agency's first internal inspection after publicly criticizing him five times.

In a written response for his National Assembly confirmation hearing submitted to parliament, Candidate Kim addressed a question asking how he would respond if Lim continues her public criticism after taking office, stating, "Public criticism of personnel matters by an investigative official is an inappropriate act that undermines organizational discipline," and adding, "We will devise effective measures."

He also stressed that members of investigative agencies must exercise extreme caution regarding words and actions that could be perceived as violating political neutrality, promising to establish firm discipline.

However, Candidate Kim also hinted at a spirit of inclusion, stating that if appointed as chief, he would do his best by joining forces with Head Lim.

Having received official documents from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety yesterday (October 12), the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency has launched an inspection into Head Lim.

The agency is reportedly analyzing controversial remarks made by Head Lim on social media and other platforms, and related procedures such as written inquiries and requests for data submission are expected to follow.

Some forecasts suggest that once Candidate Kim is officially inaugurated and appoints an inspector general directly under the agency chief—a position currently vacant—the inspection will gain further momentum.

Regarding Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who appeared at the National Assembly audit today and made further public criticisms against him, Candidate Kim's camp maintained a principled stance, stating that they take the criticism heavily and will clarify any additional matters that need addressing during the confirmation hearing.

(Video Editing: Park Seon-su, Design: Jang Seong-beom, File Photo Courtesy of the Office of Representative Park Sang-woong)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.