Ministry Steps In Amid Kim Jiyong SCIA Chief Controversy: "Opportunity to Clarify at Hearing"

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The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which is preparing for the opening of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), has refuted the controversies and suspicions surrounding Kim Jiyong, the candidate for the first SCIA director, one by one. With the official launch of the SCIA slated for October 2 and no personnel hearing yet scheduled for candidate Kim due to ongoing political disputes, the Ministry has stepped forward to address the issues directly.

Kim Minjae, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Head of the Preparatory Group for the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, held a briefing on the first candidate for the agency's director on the 17th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. During the briefing, Vice Minister Kim addressed controversies surrounding candidate Kim Jiyong raised by the media and the National Assembly, including the Kim Hak-ui exit ban case, Prosecutor Jeong Jinwoong's abuse of authority case, opposition to the elimination of prosecutors’ investigative powers, and opposition to disciplinary action against former Prosecutor General Yoon Seokyoul. He stated that the concerns of the public would not be taken lightly. September 17, 2026 Photo by Yongjoon Cho

Kim Minjae, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and head of the Preparatory Team for the establishment of the SCIA, held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office on the 17th, publicly addressing the facts regarding the controversies and suspicions raised about the candidacy of Kim Jiyong. Vice Minister Kim stated, “There have been various questions and concerns about the candidate's past behavior and positions relating to prosecution reform, and I would like to clarify the facts that have been confirmed so far.”

Vice Minister Kim explained that the Ministry had recommended candidate Kim to the President out of respect for the recommendation from the Candidate Recommendation Committee for the SCIA chief, emphasizing, “The SCIA must properly implement the purpose of prosecutorial reform and prioritize the protection of human rights as its supreme value.” He continued, “We concluded that candidate Kim is best suited for the position based on his investigative expertise, fairness and neutrality, and organizational management capabilities.”

Addressing the controversy over the approval of the indictment in the emergency travel ban case of former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-eui, Vice Minister Kim said, “Of the four individuals indicted, three were prosecuted before candidate Kim assumed the position of Chief of the Criminal Affairs Department at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.” He added that, for the remaining individual, “The candidate expressed opposition to prosecution during internal meetings, and was not the final authority in the decision to indict.”

Regarding the controversy over the indictment in Prosecutor Jeong Jinwoong's official oppression case, Vice Minister Kim stated, “While it is true that candidate Kim was in the supervisory line as Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office at the time, the investigation was already underway.” He further clarified, “The candidate firmly expressed his opposition to the indictment from his advisory position and was not the final decision-maker on the matter.”

Candidate Kim Jiyong for the first head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency is answering reporters' questions as he arrives at the personnel hearing preparation office set up at Changseongdong Annex, Government Complex Seoul, Jongno-gu, Seoul on September 8, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

The Ministry also challenged the criticisms that candidate Kim was labeled as “pro-Yoon prosecutor” or “prosecution-focused,” based on his past participation in a statement requesting reconsideration of the suspension and disciplinary request against former Prosecutor General Yoon Seokyoul, and his opposition to the “complete deprivation of prosecutorial investigative authority” (referred to as “prosecution reform without prosecution”).

Regarding the statement on former Prosecutor General Yoon, it was explained that “the intention was to request a reconsideration due to certain procedural inadequacies in the disciplinary process.” As for the opposition to the deprivation of prosecutorial investigative authority, the Ministry clarified that “the concern was not with the separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers itself, but rather with the lack of protection measures for vulnerable social groups and crime victims, which could create gaps.”

It was also mentioned that candidate Kim ordered a reinvestigation because he found the non-indictment decision in a case involving a relative of former Prosecutor General Yoon to be inappropriate, stating that “he conducted the investigation strictly and fairly, according to the evidence.” It has been suggested that his handling of these cases led to his reassignment as Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office after the launch of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which was effectively a demotion.

Vice Minister Kim stated, “We will by no means take the public’s concerns lightly,” adding, “We ask that the candidate’s qualifications, capabilities, past conduct, and major issues be directly addressed at the personnel hearing and rigorously verified by the National Assembly.” He continued, “We will continue to listen to the voice of the public and do our utmost to ensure that the SCIA can launch steadfastly with the public’s trust.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.