"Quarreling Over a Superior's Appointment" vs. "Kim Ji-yong's Past Career Is the Problem"

[Anchor]

Reactions within the broader ruling bloc have been mixed over the recent internal inspection order. While the Democratic Party assessed it as a common-sense measure, the Rebuilding Korea Party criticized the inspection of Chief Lim as inappropriate, arguing that the past career of Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, is the fundamental problem.

Jeong Yunsik reports.

[Reporter]

On October 9, President Lee Jae-myung wrote on social media, "The problem is demanding high-ranking positions without competence, and attacking from within under the guise of radical reform."

This statement prompted speculation that it was aimed at prosecution reform hardliners within the broader ruling bloc who have been repeatedly criticizing Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, calling him a so-called "pro-Yoon prosecutor."

When asked whether the order to inspect Lim Eun-jung, head of the Gwangju Regional Serious Crimes Investigation Agency who has publicly criticized nominee Kim, was linked to the president's remarks two days earlier, an official from the presidential office drew a line, stating, "It did not refer to a specific individual, but was a general remark about those who pursue personal gain under the pretext of reform."

Within the Democratic Party, where concerns regarding Chief Lim had already been raised,

[Kim Young-jin / Democratic Party Lawmaker (KBC 'Yeouido Senior Dialogue'): If you really want to do politics, you need to resign and enter politics.]

the inspection order was evaluated as a measure of common sense.

[Cho Gye-won / Democratic Party Spokesperson: The head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is Prosecutor Lim Eun-jung's superior. To quarrel over a superior's personnel appointment is preposterous in itself….]

On the other hand, the Rebuilding Korea Party voiced criticism, stating, "It is inappropriate that an order to inspect Chief Lim creates an environment where people cannot voice their convictions regarding nominee Kim," while also arguing that nominee Kim's past career is the fundamental problem and that controversial nominees should be swiftly removed.

Representative Kim Yong-min of the Democratic Party, who had previously criticized nominee Kim by comparing him to pro-Japanese collaborators, also posted as if refuting President Lee's October 9 social media post, writing, "I did not enter politics to seek a position."

The ongoing rift within the broader ruling bloc surrounding nominee Kim is expected to continue through the parliamentary confirmation hearing scheduled for October 14.

Video by Lee Seung-hwan | Video Editing by Jang Hyeon-gi | Design by Hwang Se-yeon
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.