Kim Ji-yong Calls Yoon Suk Yeol "No. 1 Political Prosecutor"... PPP Slams Him as "Opportunist"

[Anchor]

Nominee Kim Ji-yong stated that the prosecution compromised its political neutrality in the past, naming former President Yoon Suk Yeol as the "No. 1 political prosecutor." He also stated that it would be difficult to deny that lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is a political prosecutor as well. The People Power Party criticized the nominee as an "opportunist," saying he made a 180-degree reversal after previously arguing that prosecutors' supplementary investigative authority should be maintained.

Reporter Son Hyeong-an follows up with the details.

[Reporter]

Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Major Crimes Investigation Agency, said regarding prosecutorial reform that the prosecution in the past had compromised its political neutrality and abused its investigative authority. When asked to name the "No. 1 political prosecutor," he offered this answer.

[Park Duk-hyum / People Power Party Lawmaker: There must be someone you think of when referring to a politicized prosecution, right?]

[Kim Ji-yong / Nominee for Major Crimes Investigation Agency Chief: Former Prosecutor General Yoon Suk Yeol is likely the foremost figure in terms of exerting a negative influence.]

[Park Duk-hyum / People Power Party Lawmaker: Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon would also be included, then. He is the most closely affiliated with him.]

[Kim Ji-yong / Nominee for Major Crimes Investigation Agency Chief: I think it would be difficult to deny that.]

People Power Party lawmakers sharply criticized Kim as an "opportunist," pointing out that four years ago, while serving as head of the Criminal Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, he gave a briefing explaining the negative side effects of abolishing prosecutors' supplementary investigative powers, whereas he has now completely reversed his stance.

[Kang Myung-koo / People Power Party Lawmaker: (In the past) you said supplementary investigative authority must also be maintained. You now believe your stance from four years ago was wrong, do you not? What was the turning point?]

[Kim Ji-yong / Nominee for Major Crimes Investigation Agency Chief: I was emphasizing that an abrupt abolition of supplementary investigative authority could create gaps in victim protection.]

Conservative opposition lawmakers also pointed to sharp criticism directed at Kim by hardliners within the broader ruling bloc advocating prosecutorial reform, noting that this "infighting within the ruling camp" only delayed the National Assembly confirmation hearing.

[Park Sang-woong / People Power Party Lawmaker: Can one use such extreme expressions (as Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae used in her criticism), calling you a secret agent, comparing you to a Nazi war criminal, and comparing you to Eichmann?]

[Kim Ji-yong / Nominee for Major Crimes Investigation Agency Chief: I believe she said that because of the weight and importance of this position.]

Regarding Lim Eun-jung, head of the Gwangju Regional Major Crimes Investigation Agency, who was placed under inspection ordered by Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung after publicly criticizing Kim, the nominee drew the line at potential personnel actions, saying, "I will cooperate with her to ensure smooth operations."

When asked whether he also views the prosecution's investigations into cases concerning President Lee Jae-myung as an abuse of prosecutorial power—a so-called "fishing expedition"—Kim sidestepped a direct answer, remarking, "The Ministry of Justice is looking into the matter."

(Video by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Jang Hyun-ki)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.