Lee: "Most 'Pro-Yoon Prosecutor' Claims About Kim Ji-yong Proven Untrue After Additional Vetting"

"If Excluding Former Prosecutors, It's Like Sabotaging the Major Crimes Investigation Agency"

"The Goal of Prosecutorial Reform Is Not Revenge or Undermining the Prosecution"

On Excluding Kim Ji-yong: "Still a Matter for Deliberation and Jud

President Lee Jae-myung has directly countered opposition voices within the ruling party regarding lawyer Kim Ji-yong, who has been nominated as the inaugural head of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency. President Lee stated that after conducting additional vetting on Kim, most claims—including those alleging he is a "pro-Yoon prosecutor"—were found to be either false or unsubstantiated. As President Lee, who has weighed Kim's appointment ahead of the agency's launch, has now publicly explained the background of the nomination and the vetting results, there is growing speculation that a final decision is imminent.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a congratulatory speech at the launching ceremony of the Daehokim Jongseo ship held in Ulsan on the 30th. 2026.9.30 Yonhap News Agency

On October 1, President Lee responded to concerns about Kim's nomination on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, "There have been opposing arguments labeling Kim Ji-yong a 'pro-Yoon prosecutor,' so we conducted an extensive additional vetting process, which mostly revealed that these claims are either not true or are even utterly baseless falsehoods."

President Lee was especially clear that Kim should not be excluded solely due to his background as a former prosecutor. He challenged critics by saying, "If we were to dismiss everyone with a prosecutorial background, what would become of Assemblywoman Park Eun-jung, Chief Prosecutor Im Eun-jung, or Assemblyman Lee Sung-yoon? They are all current or former prosecutors as well."

He continued, "If we refuse to appoint an experienced former prosecutor to lead a major investigative agency solely because of their prosecutorial background, that is tantamount to undermining the Major Crimes Investigation Agency itself. If the agency fails to fulfill its function, what will happen to the nation’s order and the safety of its citizens?"

President Lee also emphasized that the goal of prosecutorial reform is not about purging individuals from the prosecution or those with prosecutorial backgrounds. He said, "Prosecutorial reform is not intended as retribution against the prosecution or to destroy the institution. Rather, it is about separating investigative and prosecutorial functions to ensure that neither can be misused by any administration. The objective is to ensure both tasks are conducted properly and independently."

He added, "Whether it is national governance or prosecutorial reform, it should never serve personal feelings or personal grudges, nor should it benefit specific individuals or groups. I firmly believe the aim of prosecutorial reform is to separate investigative and prosecutorial functions so that, free from political or governmental influence, these roles work fairly and effectively for the people and the country."

President Lee also provided a direct explanation of how Kim was nominated. He stated, "The President does not unilaterally select Kim Ji-yong. The nomination for agency head is narrowed down to four candidates through public recommendations and an independent review committee."

He continued, "After deliberation among the four recommended candidates, the Minister of the Interior and Safety put forward Kim Ji-yong for nomination to the President. During this process, it was determined that Kim was the most suitable among the four. Thus, not only was the nomination conducted according to statutory procedures, but Kim was selected as the relatively best-qualified candidate from the final shortlist."

However, President Lee did not declare a final decision on Kim’s appointment. Although most allegations raised during additional vetting were proven unfounded, his comments are interpreted to mean he will make a comprehensive assessment, considering the remaining issues and continued resistance within the ruling party before making a final decision.

President Lee stated, "Even if there are some issues, we must not disregard the legally mandated nomination process. If we exclude Kim Ji-yong, one of the remaining three candidates would have to be appointed, but I am still considering whether there is a valid reason to re-nominate and if any of the other three can adequately replace Kim."

President Lee's remarks came amid sustained opposition from within the ruling party regarding Kim’s appointment. Notably, President Lee openly rebutted the "pro-Yoon prosecutor" controversy—raised based on Kim's prosecutorial background—by disclosing the results of the additional vetting, which draws particular attention.

President Lee also reaffirmed his principle that prosecutorial reform should focus not on excluding prosecutors but on separating investigative and prosecutorial functions and ensuring their independence from power. As the launch of the Major Crimes Investigation Agency approaches and the appointment of its head remains unresolved, President Lee’s direct explanation of Kim’s nomination process and vetting results draws keen attention to the final appointment decision.

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