Minbyun “Kim Ji-yong is not eligible to be the head of the Heavy Investigation Service… A leader who understands the purpose of reform is needed.”

“We should not select unsuitable people who are kicked out of the workforce… We need a leader who understands the purpose of reform.”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Young-seop = The 'Lawyers for a Democratic Society' (Minbyun), a progressive lawyer's group, announced its position that lawyer Ji-yong Kim, a former chief prosecutor, is not suitable to be the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Office (Central Investigation Agency).

Minbyun issued a statement on the 17th, saying, “Candidate Kim, who not long ago took the lead in opposing the prosecution reform of separating investigation and prosecution, is unfit to be the first head of the Central Investigations Office.” He added, “For the hard-won prosecution reform and the success of the new criminal justice system, a reformative and capable person who will put the Central Investigations Office on the rock of public trust must be appointed.”

Minbyun pointed out that Candidate Kim attended a press conference opposing the prosecution reform bill in April 2022 when he was the head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's criminal department, participated in a statement opposing then-Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's disciplinary action against then Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol in 2020, and was on the command line of the investigation into the departure ban case of former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-eui.

He continued, “It is more important to appoint a candidate who will successfully lead the Central Investigation Agency than to select an unsuitable candidate due to the launch date of the Central Investigation Agency,” and added, “For reform to be successful, a leader who properly understands and leads the purpose is needed.”

On the 7th, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security recommended candidate Kim to the President as the first candidate for the head of the Central Investigation Agency, but concerns were later raised in some quarters of the ruling party over his past stance on prosecution reform.

Accordingly, President Lee Jae-myung ordered additional verification, and a request for a personnel hearing to the National Assembly has not yet been made.

On this day, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security held a briefing and directly explained various controversies related to candidate Kim and reaffirmed their intention to appoint him.