Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung stated regarding his order to inspect Lim Eun-jung, head of the Gwangju Regional Major Crimes Investigation Agency, "I ordered an inspection into whether this constitutes political action using her position."

On his way to work today (October 12), Minister Yoon explained the background behind the inspection order regarding Agency Head Lim, saying, "It is neither related to her duties nor information acquired in the course of performing her duties, and she had already voiced her opinions sufficiently when she was previously at the prosecution service. I saw it as problematic that she continues to speak out repeatedly even after taking up a post at the Major Crimes Investigation Agency."

He added, "Anyone is free to express their own opinion," but questioned, "What is the meaning of a senior official of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency going out of her way to speak on matters that are already being sufficiently discussed in the political arena?"

Minister Yoon also emphasized that the past practices of the prosecution service must not be repeated at the Major Crimes Investigation Agency.

Quoting the proverb, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," he pointed out, "Under the Disciplinary Act for Prosecutors, disciplinary matters were handled among senior and junior prosecutors within the Ministry of Justice, leading to great leniency. When collective actions occurred, they could not discipline everyone, so the past practice of the prosecution was simply to tolerate it."

He continued, "Carrying over such practices to the Major Crimes Investigation Agency can no longer be tolerated," adding, "This applies not only to Prosecutor Lim Eun-jung, but equally to all investigators at the Major Crimes Investigation Agency."

Regarding how the inspection will proceed while the inspector general position is vacant, he stated, "Although the inspector general post is vacant, it does not mean there is no inspection department," adding, "I believe the Major Crimes Investigation Agency will decide how to conduct the relevant inspection work."

Earlier, Minister Yoon posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account yesterday (October 11) ordering an inspection into Agency Head Lim, who had publicly criticized Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the inaugural head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency.

At the time, Minister Yoon stated, "Agency Head Lim seems to mistakenly think the Major Crimes Investigation Agency is a political body rather than an investigative agency," expressing concern over whether wrongful past practices of the prosecution—such as political interference and collective action—might be transferred to the Major Crimes Investigation Agency.

In response, Agency Head Lim posted on Facebook, expressing her position: "It is very regrettable and sad that I have become the very first target of inspection at the Major Crimes Investigation Agency," adding, "I will handle this properly with a sense of duty."
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)