Kim Ji-yong inaugurated as first Serious Crimes Investigation Agency head
In short
Kim Ji-yong (김지용) was inaugurated on 20 October in Seoul as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (중대범죄수사청). In his speech he promised political neutrality, the same standards for every suspect regardless of status, and caution about targeted, separate-case and "dust-sweeping" investigations.
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Kim Ji-yong, the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, took office on 20 October at a ceremony held at 3 pm at the agency's main office in Seoul's Jung district. He said a new criminal justice system that separates investigation from prosecution was beginning, and that he felt a heavy sense of responsibility as the first head. [ 1 , 4 , 7 ]
Kim named political neutrality and independence of investigation as the first principle. He said the agency would apply the same principles and standards whatever the case and whoever the target, regardless of status, and would not be swayed by improper outside pressure. According to Yonhap, he also said he would investigate independently but not arbitrarily, and would respect democratic control under the constitution and law. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
On procedure, Kim said observing due process is not an obstacle to efficiency. He said he would be strictly wary of investigations aimed at specific people, separate-case investigations and "dust-sweeping" investigations, and would reach an appropriate conclusion if suspicion of a crime was not sufficiently supported. He said the agency's results should be judged by how accurately it established the facts and how fairly it applied the law, not by the number of arrests or indictments. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 ]
Kim also promised to listen to crime victims and vulnerable groups such as children, the disabled and the elderly, and to protect the rights and defence rights of suspects. He said he would settle a responsible-investigation system in which investigators manage a case from opening to closing, and would build a horizontal, fair organisational culture in which former institution and past rank are not criteria for evaluation and personnel decisions. Seoul Economic Daily and Hankook Ilbo said he presented five principles. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 10 ]
Earlier on 20 October Kim attended a cabinet meeting at the presidential office, chaired by President Lee Jae-myung, a day after receiving his letter of appointment from Lee. Lee asked the agency to investigate white-collar crime, corruption by those in power and securities and financial crime, without sanctuary and with full investigative capacity. Newsis and Kukmin Ilbo reported concern that the head of an investigative agency attending a cabinet meeting could harm political neutrality and independence. [ 7 , 8 , 11 ]
Yonhap reported that the ceremony came 42 days after Kim was named nominee. It said the confirmation hearing was held on 14 October, the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee adopted its report the next day, and Lee approved the appointment the same day. CBS NoCut News reported that about 100 staff attended and that an election commission special counsel visited Kim after the ceremony to ask for investigators to be dispatched. [ 4 , 11 ]
Why it matters
Outlets describe the agency as part of a new criminal justice system that separates investigation from prosecution. Kim framed his principles as the standard for that system over coming decades. Two outlets also reported concern over his attendance at a cabinet meeting, which they said could harm the agency's neutrality.
Key facts
- Kim Ji-yong was inaugurated as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency at a ceremony on 20 October at 3 pm in Seoul's Jung district. [ 1 , 4 , 7 , 11 ]
- Kim said the agency would apply the same principles and standards whatever the case, whoever the target and whatever their status or position. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
- He said he would not be swayed by improper outside pressure and would investigate fairly on the basis of law and evidence only. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
- Kim said he would be strictly wary of investigations aimed at specific people, separate-case investigations and "dust-sweeping" investigations. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
- He said the agency's results should be judged by how accurately it established facts and how fairly it applied the law, not by the number of arrests or indictments. [ 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 ]
- He pledged to establish a responsible-investigation system in which investigators manage a case from opening to closing. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
- Before the ceremony Kim attended a cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung, who asked the agency to investigate serious crimes without sanctuary. [ 7 , 8 , 11 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Kim Ji-yong was inaugurated as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency on 20 October. [ 1 , 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
- Kim named political neutrality and independence of investigation as his first principle and said he would apply the same standards regardless of the target's status. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]
- Kim pledged to protect the rights of crime victims and vulnerable groups such as children, the disabled and the elderly, and also the rights and defence rights of suspects. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 10 ]
- Kim said he would build a fair organisational culture in which former institution and past rank are not criteria for evaluation and personnel decisions. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 10 ]
- Kim attended the morning cabinet meeting, where President Lee Jae-myung asked the agency to investigate serious crimes with all its investigative capacity and without sanctuary. [ 7 , 8 , 11 ]
- Kim presented five principles for the agency, according to two outlets. [ 6 , 10 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Kim's attendance at the cabinet meeting harms the agency's neutrality and independence. Two outlets reported that concern had been raised about the head of an investigative agency attending a cabinet meeting, but did not say who raised it.
- Why the inauguration was delayed and whether eligibility controversies played a part. Only Yonhap reported that eligibility controversies delayed the confirmation hearing request and that the ceremony, planned for last week, was postponed during scheduling with the presidential office; its text is cut off.