Ministry of Public Administration and Security further confirms past activities of Kim Ji-yong, head of the Heavy Investigation Service... Reveals opposition to prosecution and reinvestigation order

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Cha Min-ji and Hong Jun-seok = The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 17th that as a result of additional confirmation of the past activities of Kim Ji-yong, the first candidate for the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (Serious Crimes Investigation Office), during his time as a prosecutor, it was found that candidate Kim had expressed opposition to the indictment of those involved in the emergency ban on departure of former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-eui and the prosecutor Jeong Jin-woong's arbitrary assault case.

Candidate Kim also announced that he had confirmed that he ordered a re-investigation in a case in which a relative of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol was criminally indicted, judging that the existing non-indictment was unfair.

Kim Min-jae, Vice Minister of Public Administration and Security and Head of the Opening Preparation Team for the Central Investigation Agency, said in a briefing that day, “I would like to speak based on the facts confirmed to date regarding the controversies and suspicions raised in the media and the National Assembly.”

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 Serious Investigations Office based on the recommendations of the Serious Investigations Commissioner Candidate Recommendation Committee.

However, concerns were raised in some parts of the ruling party regarding Candidate Kim's past actions while serving as a prosecutor and his stance on prosecutorial reform, and as President Lee Jae-myung ordered additional verification, a request for a personnel hearing to the National Assembly has not yet been made.

First, regarding the claim that Candidate Kim approved the indictment of those involved in the case of former Vice Minister Kim Hak-eui's emergency departure ban, Deputy Minister Kim explained, "Three of the four indicted people were investigated and indicted before the candidate took office as the Chief of the Criminal Division of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, which is the command line for the case."

Next, regarding the remaining person, he said, "We confirmed that the candidate expressed his opposition to the indictment at an internal meeting and was not the final decision-maker on the indictment."

Regarding the case of prosecutor Jeong Jin-woong's arbitrary assault of former prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security explains that although it is true that Candidate Kim was in the prosecution command line as the deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office at the time, he opposed the indictment.

Vice Minister Kim said, “When the candidate took office, the investigation was already in progress,” and “The candidate clearly expressed his opposition to the indictment from the perspective of a staff member, and confirmed that he was not the final decision-maker on the indictment.”

He also explained the 'pro-prosecutor Yoon' and 'prosecutionist' controversies that arose over his participation in a statement opposing the request for suspension and disciplinary action against former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and his stance against the so-called 'complete prosecution'.

According to the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, Candidate Kim explained that although former President Yoon's actions at the time may have amounted to misconduct, he judged some of the disciplinary procedures to be inappropriate and participated in a statement requesting that the suspension and disciplinary action be reconsidered.

Regarding the complete inspection, Vice Minister Kim said that he was not opposed to the purpose of separating investigation and prosecution, but was concerned that a vacuum could be created if it is promoted without sufficient measures to protect the rights of the socially disadvantaged and crime victims.

The Ministry of Public Administration and Security also disclosed the fact that Candidate Kim ordered a reinvestigation into the case in which a relative of former President Yoon was criminally charged.

Vice Minister Kim said, "After closely reviewing the records related to the case in which a relative of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol was criminally charged, which had ended with a non-indictment, the candidate decided that the non-indictment was unfair in accordance with law and principles and ordered a reinvestigation."

Regarding Candidate Kim's appointment as Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Gwangju Public Prosecutor's Office in his first appointment since the inauguration of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, he added, "He was actually demoted, and there are some opinions that the handling of these cases had an impact."

Vice Minister Kim said, "The Central Investigation Agency must properly implement the purpose of prosecution reform and consider protecting the people's human rights as its top priority." He added, "The Ministry of Public Administration and Security judged candidate Kim, who has investigative expertise, fairness and neutrality, and organizational management capabilities, as the right person to be the first commissioner who will carry out these tasks without a hitch."

However, he said, "We will never lightly ignore the concerns of the people," and added, "We ask that the candidate directly explain the qualifications, capabilities, past actions, and major issues of the candidate for the head of the Central Investigation Agency at the upcoming personnel hearing and that the National Assembly closely verify them."