[Anchor]

Reactions within the broader ruling bloc have been mixed over the recent order for an internal inspection. The Democratic Party assessed that ordering an inspection into Chief Lim Eun-jung was a commonsense measure. Conversely, the Rebuilding Korea Party criticized the inspection as inappropriate, stating that "nominee Kim Ji-yong's track record is the fundamental problem."

Reporter Ha Jeongyeon has the details.

[Reporter]

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

The remark prompted speculation that it was aimed at prosecution reform hardliners within the broader ruling bloc, who have been criticizing Kim Ji-yong, nominee to head the Major Crime Investigation Office, as a so-called "pro-Yoon prosecutor."

When asked whether today's inspection order regarding Lim Eun-jung, chief of the Gwangju Regional Major Crime Investigation Office who has openly criticized nominee Kim, was linked to the president's remarks two days ago, an official from the presidential office drew the line, saying, "It was not directed at any specific individual, but was a general comment on those who pursue personal ambition under the banner of reform."

Within the Democratic Party, which had already raised issues concerning Chief Lim,

[Kim Young-jin / Democratic Party Lawmaker (KBC 'Yeouido Senior Dialogue'): If she truly wants to pursue politics, it is necessary that she resign and enter politics.]

today's inspection order was evaluated as a commonsense measure.

[Cho Gye-won / Democratic Party Spokesperson: The head of the Major Crime Investigation Office is prosecutor Lim Eun-jung's superior. Meddling in a superior's personnel appointment is inherently preposterous....]

In contrast, the Rebuilding Korea Party criticized, "Creating an atmosphere where one cannot voice concerns about nominee Kim according to one's conscience due to an inspection order on Chief Lim is inappropriate," while asserting that Kim's past career is the root problem and that controversial nominees should be promptly resolved.

Democratic Party Lawmaker Kim Yong-min, who previously criticized nominee Kim by comparing him to pro-Japanese collaborators, also posted, as if rebutting President Lee's October 9 social media post, "I did not enter politics out of a lust for positions." The clash within the broader ruling coalition is expected to persist through Kim's parliamentary confirmation hearing on October 14.

(Video by Lee Seung-hwan | Video Editing by Jang Hyeon-gi | Graphics by Hwang Se-yeon)