Regarding the special inspector system revived after 10 years, Special Inspector Choi Gil-soo, on his first day of work today (October 26), stated that he will uphold political neutrality and independence to the end.

Special Inspector Choi held a brief press conference as he arrived at the Special Inspector's office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

He vowed, "If neutrality and independence in performing our duties are not maintained, the special inspector system will become nominal," adding, "I will be cautious beforehand to avoid being embroiled in disputes over fairness."

Special Inspector Choi also emphasized "strengthening preventive inspections."

He said, "I believe the special inspector system serves as an institutional check to ensure that senior public officials always reflect on themselves."

He added, "The Office of the Special Inspector will become an entity that keeps watch over inspection subjects with eyes wide open."

However, he also made it clear that inspection targets must strictly fall within the scope stipulated by law.

[Choi Gil-soo / Special Inspector (October 26 press conference) : As I stated during the confirmation hearing, as long as it is specified in the law, if I conduct an inspection in violation of the law, I am bound to be punished.]

The scope of inspection targets stipulated by law is limited to the President's spouse, relatives within the fourth degree of kinship, and public officials at the level of senior secretary or higher in the Office of the President.

For the time being, Special Inspector Choi plans to speed up normalizing operations by appointing assistant special inspectors and inspection officers, as well as receiving seconded public officials.

Special Inspector Choi has served as head of the Special Investigation Division at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, head of the Andong Branch of the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, and prosecutor in the Inspection Department of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office.

During the Moon Jae-in administration, the opposition party once recommended him as a candidate for special inspector.

Meanwhile, since the special inspector system was first introduced in March 2015, the post had remained vacant for more than 10 years after inaugural Special Inspector Lee Seok-soo resigned while investigating allegations of misconduct involving then-Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Woo Byung-woo and others.

Reported by Jo Gi-ho | Video by Lee Da-in | Design by Lee Jeong-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News