Im Eunjeong: "Immediate Normal Operation of the High-Ranking Crime Investigation Division Impossible... Normalization in One or Two Months Also Unlikely"

"Confusion Due to Lack of Budget and Organization Chart"
Case Handover Scale Still Unknown; Staff Housing Undecided
On Criticism of Kim Jiyong: "We Must Speak Up When Something Is Wrong"

Im Eunjeong, Chief Prosecutor of the Gwangju Regional Office of the High-Ranking Crime Investigation Division, pointed out on the morning of the 6th that "the High-Ranking Crime Investigation Division was launched without sufficient preparation, so it is impossible for it to operate normally right away," highlighting the confusion on the ground caused by lack of readiness.

Im Eunjeong, Chief Prosecutor of the Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Office, is answering questions from reporters on her way to work in front of the Gwangju Serious Crime Investigation Office in Jungheung-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News

During a brief interview with reporters on her way to work at the Gwangju High-Ranking Crime Investigation Division that day, Chief Prosecutor Im stated, "Security is critical for investigative agencies, but a system cannot be established simply by having desks and people in a large space," adding, "I do not think it will be possible to normalize operations within just a month or two."

She specifically addressed shortcomings in preparations during the division’s establishment. Chief Prosecutor Im explained, "When I first came in to work on Friday, I confirmed that no budget or related resources had been allocated, resulting in considerable confusion," and continued, "Senior officials ranked Grade 5 and above were only informed of their appointments on Thursday, the day before the opening, and even the official organization chart had not yet been released at the time of the launch."

Currently, staff members who have been relocated from other regions to the Gwangju High-Ranking Crime Investigation Division have not even been provided with government housing. The availability and scale of rental support has yet to be determined, meaning many senior officials are reportedly having to stay in hotels or temporary accommodations for the time being.

Delays in establishing the division’s organization and systems have also led to confusion in the handover of cases and investigative work. The division does not yet have a grasp of the number of cases it will inherit from the Prosecutors' Office, and as the Gwangju High-Ranking Crime Investigation Division covers a broad jurisdiction reaching as far as North Jeolla and Jeju, inconveniences for residents living far from the regional headquarters are also anticipated. Chief Prosecutor Im stated, "It appears difficult to establish branch offices immediately," and added, "If necessary, we will respond by dispatching investigators so that the inconvenience is borne by government officials, not by citizens."

When asked about concerns regarding internal conflict after publicly criticizing Kim Jiyong, the inaugural chief nominee, she maintained her stance, saying, "It is an official’s duty, as well as a citizen’s right and obligation, to say what is wrong when it is indeed wrong."

Explaining her reason for choosing to join the Gwangju High-Ranking Crime Investigation Division, she said that since she was involved in the design process of separating investigative and prosecutorial powers and in establishing the new division, she felt she should leave the former prosecution organization and join the new team herself.

Chief Prosecutor Im further emphasized, "Here at the High-Ranking Crime Investigation Division, I will strive to break away from the command-and-control organizational culture and cronyism of the former prosecution, and create a new organizational culture," and added, "I will do my utmost to ensure that this becomes a trustworthy organization that earns the citizens’ confidence."

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