SCIA chief nominee vows to end 'politicization' of investigations
The nominee to lead the newly launched Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) pledged Thursday to end the "politicization" of investigations and to maintain their independence. The SCIA launched last Friday as part of a major overhaul of the criminal justice system that strips prosecutors of their power to conduct direct investigations amid criticism that they had pursued political probes.…
Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the new Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), assured Thursday that the agency will put an end to the politicization of investigations and preserve their independence. The SCIA, which began operations last Friday, was established as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the criminal justice system, intending to transfer prosecutors' authority to conduct direct investigations due to concerns that they had pursued politically motivated probes.
Kim candidly acknowledged the harm caused by the prosecution's past targeted "dirt-digging" investigations, driven by political motives. He expressed a deep understanding of the current situation, which ultimately led to the disbanding of the prosecution. Kim vowed to guarantee that the new agency would steadfastly uphold political neutrality and the autonomy of investigations.
He is set to face a parliamentary confirmation hearing next Wednesday, and his nomination has encountered resistance from certain hardline members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who argue that Kim previously opposed the prosecution's authority.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
