Yoon Hojung: "Orders Inspection of Gwangju SCIA Chief Lim Eunjung...; Preoccupied with Nitpicking SCIA Chief Nominee"

Interior Minister Can Direct and Supervise SCIA Employees
"Concerned the Prosecution's Political Interference and Other Practices Could Carry Over"

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung on Oct. 11 ordered an internal inspection into Lim Eunjeong, head of the Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Office, who has publicly criticized Kim Jiyong, the nominee to head the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA).

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung delivers congratulatory remarks at the opening ceremony of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the morning of Oct. 2, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

On X (formerly Twitter) that day, Yoon wrote, "It seems Director Lim has mistaken the SCIA for a political organization rather than an agency that investigates cases. I will instruct the SCIA to launch an internal inspection into Director Lim."

He said, "Many people are concerned to see an executive of an agency established to uphold justice in our society by tackling public-sector corruption, economic crimes, cybercrimes and drug crimes devoting herself to criticizing the nominee for SCIA chief."

He added, "I am concerned that the SCIA may inherit the prosecution's past bad practices, including political interference and collective action. The nominee for SCIA chief will be vetted in accordance with the Constitution and laws by the President, who has the authority to appoint the nominee, and the National Assembly, which is responsible for the confirmation hearing."

Lim Eunjeong, head of the Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Office, Yonhap News

Yoon stressed, "Ensuring discipline in response to conduct unbecoming of a senior public official and inconsistent with the agency's mission is also part of the prosecution reform mandated by the people, the sovereign."

Yoon's inspection order is based on the Act on the Organization and Operation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (the SCIA Act).

Article 6 of the SCIA Act stipulates, "The Minister of the Interior and Safety shall generally direct and supervise the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and its employees. However, with respect to specific cases, only the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency shall be directed and supervised."

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