[Anchor]

Kim Ji-yong, the inaugural head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA), has received his letter of appointment 41 days after his nomination. Chief Kim expressed his ambition to prove the necessity of the agency's existence through tangible results. He also emphasized ending the politicization of investigations, though he avoided giving a direct answer on whether he would attend Cabinet meetings.

Reporter Shin Yong-il has the details.

[Reporter]

Inaugural SCIA Chief Kim Ji-yong received his letter of appointment from President Lee Jae-myung.

This comes 41 days after his nomination as chief.

[President Lee Jae-myung : You have worked hard.]

The presidential office stated that President Lee asked Chief Kim to handle issues involving public suspicion fairly and in accordance with principles, without favoring one's own side or the other.

Earlier this morning (October 19) during his first doorstep interview on his way to work, Chief Kim stated that he would settle the agency into an early establishment and prove the necessity of its existence through practical results.

He pointed to the politicization of investigations as the cause of past prosecutorial abuses of investigative authority, emphasizing that he would eradicate this and maintain political neutrality.

[Kim Ji-yong / Head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency : It is the eradication of the politicization of investigations. Our SCIA will strictly uphold fairness, neutrality, and procedural justice so that the public does not have to worry....]

However, he avoided giving a direct answer regarding whether the head of the investigative agency will attend Cabinet meetings, an issue that has raised concerns over investigative independence.

[Kim Ji-yong / Head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency : That will be appropriately determined in consultation with relevant laws and related agencies.]

Earlier, the Seoul Regional Serious Crimes Investigation Agency secured the custody of a suspect for the first time since its launch on October 2, arresting an individual of Southeast Asian nationality (A) yesterday on charges of smuggling cannabis into the country.

However, homework remains as the agency lacks adequate investigative personnel and basic infrastructure, alongside the task of resolving the disciplinary inspection issue involving Gwangju Regional Chief Lim Eun-jung, who had publicly opposed Kim's appointment.

The SCIA plans to hold Kim's official inauguration ceremony tomorrow.

(Video by Yang Hyun-chul | Video Editing by Jang Hyun-ki)