Cheong Wa Dae Rebuts Allegations Against Kim Ji-yong: "Confirmation Hearing Request to Be Sent to Assembly Soon"

Cheong Wa Dae announced that it "plans to send the request for a confirmation hearing for Kim Ji-yong, nominee for the inaugural head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, to the National Assembly in the near future."

The presidential office determined that the allegations raised by some within the ruling camp do not warrant stripping the nominee of the opportunity to explain himself during a parliamentary confirmation hearing.

Seong Gi-hong, Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Communication, held a briefing on the afternoon of October 1 to explain the decision on the nominee.

Seong emphasized, "It is time to put an end to unnecessary, exhaustive debates that cause disruption in state affairs and focus on the concrete tasks our criminal justice system must pursue."

In particular, he said, "While some argue that the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency should not come from a prosecutorial background, not all prosecutors are bad prosecutors," adding, "We must ensure that essential state functions operate properly."

He also added, "The recommendation committee for the head of the agency recommended three former prosecutors and one former judge. Saying that anyone with a prosecution background is strictly unacceptable virtually invalidates subsequent procedures, such as the recommendation by the Minister of the Interior and Safety," adding, "That could not have been the intention of the legislature."

Seong pointed out, "As the Prosecution Agency will be granted no investigative authority whatsoever, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency must properly carry out its inherent investigative functions right from its launch."

He stressed, "For the successful establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, the head's investigative leadership and qualifications are crucial, and these standards must be reflected in the selection."

Calling the post one that demands high-level investigative expertise and qualifications, Seong said, "Nominee Kim has not only demonstrated investigative expertise throughout his career, but has also displayed a strong sense of mission to protect the public from illegality and injustice."

Seong shared the results of additional vetting conducted on Kim, rebutting the allegations raised by some within the ruling camp point by point.

Seong noted, "The results of the additional vetting showed no difference from the initial findings," pointing out that "some of the allegations raised from certain quarters were either contrary to fact or merely vague assumptions."

In particular, regarding claims that Kim is a "pro-Yoon prosecutor," Seong dismissed it as "a completely unfounded assertion," explaining that Kim was promoted to chief prosecutor in August 2020 under then-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae after being deemed the right person for prosecution reform.

He also noted that Kim was subsequently demoted after ordering a reinvestigation into cases including the alleged perjury by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's mother-in-law, Choi Eun-soon.

Additionally, Seong addressed Kim's past participation in a joint statement arguing that disciplinary action sought against former President Yoon was unjust.

Seong drew a line, stating that "it is a separate matter from the nominee's participation in the statement."

He further stated that claims that Kim unreasonably indicted Senior Prosecutor Jeong Jin-woong for assault under color of authority were merely one-sided assertions, and that claims of Kim's involvement in the indictment of former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-ui and his alleged refusal to cooperate with digital forensics in the Channel A case were likewise contrary to fact.

Seong concluded by saying, "Contrary to concerns in some quarters, I make it clear that there will be no turning back to the past or going against this direction of reform," adding, "We expect the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Prosecution Agency to fulfill their respective functions in realizing judicial reform through mutual checks and balances."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.