Kim Jiyong Hearing Today: Can He Overcome the 'Pro-Yoon Prosecutor' Controversy?

National Assembly confirmation hearing on October 14 amid opposition from ruling-camp hardliners

Key issues include opposition to the “Complete Deprivation of the Prosecution’s Investigation Authority” bill and statement opposing Yoon’s disciplinar

The ruling camp's dispute over the selection of the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will move to a National Assembly confirmation hearing on Oct. 14. The key question is whether nominee Kim Jiyong, whom President Lee Jaemyung kept in the running after further vetting despite opposition from hardliners in the ruling camp, can prove that he is the right person to lead prosecution reform. The hearing's outcome is expected to affect not only when the agency, which has been without a chief since its launch, returns to normal operations, but also the course of internal ruling-camp divisions over prosecution reform.

Kim Jiyong, nominee for head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, arrives at work. Yonhap News Agency

According to Cheong Wa Dae and the National Assembly on Oct. 14, the Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee will begin a confirmation hearing for Kim that morning. It comes 37 days after Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Hojung nominated Kim on Sept. 7. Cheong Wa Dae initially selected Kim to become the agency's first chief, but began additional vetting after some lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Rebuilding Korea Party raised what they called the "pro-Yoon Suk Yeol prosecutor" controversy. After lengthy deliberation, President Lee approved the confirmation hearing request on Oct. 1, and it was submitted to the National Assembly the following day.

The hearing's main focus will be Kim's record during his time at the prosecution service and his views on prosecution reform. When he was a senior prosecutor, Kim opposed legislation known as the "complete deprivation of prosecutors' investigative powers," which would reduce the prosecution's authority to investigate. He also signed a statement by senior prosecutors opposing the Justice Ministry's disciplinary action against then-Prosecutor General Yoon Suk Yeol. Lawmakers including Kim Yongmin have argued that Kim's record could place him among former President Yoon's close associates and make him unsuitable to lead the agency.

In particular, the hearing is expected to examine why Kim joined the statement opposing disciplinary action against former President Yoon, as well as his role in the case involving prosecutor Jung Jinwoong's alleged assault under color of authority in connection with former Prosecutor General Han Donghoon, and in the investigation into the alleged unlawful travel ban imposed on former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hakui. Another key issue will be whether a former prosecutor can ensure the political neutrality and independence of a new investigative agency intended to be separate from the existing prosecution service.

Kim has denied the various allegations. He says he was sidelined in the first round of prosecution-service appointments after the Yoon administration took office and received no personnel benefits due to personal ties with anyone. He has explained that his past support for granting prosecutors supplementary investigative powers was intended to protect crime victims. At a press conference on Oct. 8, he said, "I will put an end to the politicization of investigations," expressing his determination to uphold political neutrality and investigative independence.

President Lee has also defended Kim, saying the criticism is not based on facts. On social media on Oct. 2, Lee cited the fact that Kim was sidelined after ordering a reinvestigation into a case involving former President Yoon's mother-in-law, Choi Eunsoon, and countered, "Wouldn't it be difficult, at the very least, to conclude that he is pro-Yoon?" Lee said he considered Kim the best fit among the four candidates shortlisted by the candidate recommendation committee, adding that the final appointment would be decided after the National Assembly hearing.

Conflicting assessments of Kim within the ruling camp are also expected to come to the fore again at the hearing. The Democratic Party leadership says it respects the president's authority to make appointments and wants to resolve the controversy through the hearing, while some lawmakers continue to call for thorough vetting. Park Jumin, a member of the Public Administration and Security Committee, said he would question Kim about his opposition to adjusting investigative powers between prosecutors and police while he was at the prosecution service. Yoon Kunyoung also said he would closely scrutinize Kim's commitment to prosecution reform and his ability to lead the organization.

Kim's past promotion to senior prosecutor is also expected to come under scrutiny. The ruling and opposition parties have selected former Vice Justice Minister Ko Kiyoung as a witness and Kim Yewon, a lawyer and head of the Center for Disability Rights Law, as a reference witness. Former Justice Minister and current Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae previously said that Ko recommended Kim for promotion to senior prosecutor while she was serving as justice minister, so questions are also expected about the circumstances surrounding the recommendation.

President Lee Jaemyung speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 13, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

After the hearing, attention will turn to whether the confirmation hearing report is adopted. If it is, Kim will formally take office after President Lee makes the final appointment. The agency was launched on Oct. 2, but delays in appointing its first chief have left it operating under acting chief Jeon Jongmin, its deputy chief. With the leadership team's formation delayed by political controversy, Kim will also face the challenges of stabilizing the organization, securing investigative personnel and establishing the new criminal justice system at an early stage.

Once the selection of Kim is complete, attention is expected to shift to appointments for head of the Public Prosecution Office and justice minister. On Oct. 13, the Justice Ministry formed a committee to recommend candidates for prosecutor general, chaired by former Prosecutor General Moon Mooil, and began the process of selecting the first head of the Public Prosecution Office. The ministry plans to accept public nominations from Oct. 14 through Oct. 21 before narrowing the list of candidates. The justice minister's post has remained vacant since former minister Jung Sungho resigned, and nominee Kim Seungwon also failed to secure the position. Whether President Lee can swiftly put the leadership structure of the Public Prosecution Office and the Justice Ministry in place after doing so at the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency will be a major focus of future appointments.

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