SCIA Receives Order to Inspect Gwangju Chief Lim Eunjung in Its 'First Inspection' Since Launch

Serious Crime Investigation Agency: "We will conduct a thorough and prompt inspection"

The Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) has officially received an order to inspect Lim Eunjung, chief of the Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Agency, who has repeatedly made critical remarks targeting Kim Jiyong, the nominee to become the SCIA’s first chief. The agency has begun the inspection.

Lim Eunjung, chief of the Gwangju Regional Serious Crime Investigation Agency, answers questions from reporters on her way to work outside the agency in Jungheung-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 6th. Yonhap News.

On October 12, the SCIA said, “At around 2:25 p.m. today, Deputy Chief Jeon Jongmin, who is serving as acting chief, received an official document from the Minister of the Interior and Safety ordering an inspection into remarks made by the chief of the Gwangju Regional SCIA, among other matters. He immediately instructed the acting inspector to conduct an inspection.” It added, “The Inspector General’s Office will lead a thorough and prompt inspection in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.”

The inspection will be conducted under the State Public Officials Act, the Decree on Disciplinary Action Against Public Officials, and the Rules on Handling Public Officials’ Misconduct Cases. If the inspection finds that disciplinary action or other measures are warranted, the SCIA will request that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety seek a disciplinary decision. If the minister requests such a decision, a disciplinary committee under the Prime Minister’s Office will make the final ruling.

Under the State Public Officials Act, an appointing authority may relieve an official of their post if grounds arise, including that disciplinary action is being sought for a serious offense such as dismissal, removal, demotion, or suspension.

Lim has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Kim Jiyong’s nomination as the first SCIA chief. On her personal social media account, she also claimed that in 2018, when Kim was head of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s Inspection Division 1, he ignored her petition asking him to investigate and inspect the dereliction of duty by officials responsible for inspecting the sexual assault case involving former prosecutor Jin Donggyun. She also wrote, “Someone who should serve as a cautionary example must not become the first chief.”

In an exchange with reporters on her way to work on October 6, Lim said that “it is coming to light that [Kim] was involved in several disgraceful incidents as part of the chain of command.” She added, “He says he voiced opposition and filed written objections on several occasions, but as far as I know, he never submitted them, and he signed off on all of them.”

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