SCIA chief nominee vows not to give in to external pressure

On October 14, Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), pledged during a parliamentary confirmation hearing to remain politically neutral and independent in his investigations. Kim stated that he "will conduct investigations impartially, upholding political neutrality and independence." The Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) was established on October 2 as part of a major overhaul of the criminal justice system aimed at removing prosecutors' independent investigative powers.

The new system restructures investigations, with agencies like the SCIA and the police leading the charge, while the Prosecution Service focuses on indictments. Kim vowed to fulfill the SCIA's role in preserving judicial justice and safeguarding the public's daily lives. He outlined four key tasks to gain public trust if appointed as the agency's first head: protecting human rights, enhancing specialized investigative capabilities, conducting comprehensive supplementary investigations into crimes against vulnerable populations, and maintaining political neutrality and independence.