Kim Jiyong: "Agency 66% Staffed"... Pitches "Responsibility-Based Investigations" to Address Gaps

Incomplete computer system... "Investigations using paper records"
Emphasizes accountability from case referral through trial outcomes
"Improvements" promised amid concerns over gaps in supplementary investigations for vulnerable groups
Promises to document outside pressure and reasons for investigative team changes

The Serious Crime Investigation Agency, which was launched on October 2, has filled only 66% of its positions. Some functions of its computer network are also still in operation only in part. Kim Jiyong, nominee to become the agency's first chief, said he would introduce a “responsibility-based investigation system,” under which investigators in charge of cases would remain responsible through prosecution and trial outcomes, to prevent gaps in investigations.

Kim Jiyong, nominee for chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, attends a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Oct. 14, 2026. Photo by Yoon Dongju, reporter.

At a confirmation hearing before the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee on the afternoon of October 14, Kim responded to a question from Rep. Jin Jongoh of the People Power Party, saying, “I understand that about 66% of the positions have been filled, and that around 60% to 70% of the physical infrastructure is in place.” He added, “I understand that the Serious Crime Investigation Agency has not yet directly received any cases,” and said, “The Korea Information System of Criminal Justice Services (KICS) can receive, assign and transfer cases, but its case-processing functions are not yet sufficiently prepared.” He added, however, “We can use paper records, so there is no major problem with handling cases immediately.”

Rep. Jin noted that harm could result if cases were repeatedly transferred between investigative agencies or responsibility became unclear. He also asked who should be held accountable if evidence disappeared or harm continued in the meantime. Kim said, “If the Serious Crime Investigation Agency fails to properly conduct a supplementary investigation, it must take responsibility.” Asked how long-term unsolved cases would be managed, he stressed the introduction of a responsibility-based investigation system.

At the confirmation hearing for nominee Kim Jiyong
Jin = Cases could arise in which agencies pass investigative responsibility back and forth, evidence disappears, or harm continues. When that happens, who is held responsible? The investigator in charge, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, or the chief?

Kim = I think it would depend on the specific circumstances. For example, if the Public Prosecution Office requests a supplementary investigation and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency fails to conduct it properly, I believe we would clearly be responsible.

Jin = Is there a way to regularly review the status of long-term unsolved cases or repeated transfers between agencies, or to make improvements?

Kim = We will make it possible to use statistics to track cases that have been left unattended for a long time. What I want to emphasize is the responsibility-based investigation system. Investigators should not consider their work finished just because they have transferred a case. I believe they should be responsible for whether the case is prosecuted and whether it results in a conviction. We plan to enforce the system rigorously and ensure that both rewards and disciplinary measures are applied consistently.

Cases affecting victims fall outside investigative remit...concerns over gaps in protection for vulnerable groups

Cases that are not included in the Serious Crime Investigation Agency’s investigative remit were also raised as a concern. Rep. Kim Yeji of the People Power Party said that if police misclassify the type of crime, the agency’s supplementary investigation to protect vulnerable groups may never even begin.

Rep. Kim cited cases including the death of a patient who had been isolated and restrained for an extended period at a psychiatric medical institution. Her point was that when victims are unable to secure evidence themselves or challenge investigative findings, the opportunity for a supplementary investigation could disappear based on the initial investigative agency’s judgment. Even if a system for supplementary investigations to protect vulnerable groups is established, it would be difficult to remedy harm if a case never reaches the Serious Crime Investigation Agency.

Kim said he agreed with these concerns and would “discuss ways to improve the system through a consultative body of investigative agencies.” When Rep. Kim asked whether he intended to operate the body as a forum for substantive improvements, he replied, “I will bear that in mind.”

Kim Jiyong, nominee for chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, answers lawmakers’ questions at a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on Oct. 14, 2026. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Documenting outside pressure and investigative team changes...scrutiny of organizational principles

Kim said he would develop measures to keep records of investigative interventions prompted by outside pressure. In response to a proposal from Rep. Jin Jongoh of the People Power Party to document attempts by politicians or government officials to intervene in investigations, the reasons for changing case assignments, and the circumstances behind changes to investigative teams, he said, “If I take office, I will take action.”

He cited a horizontal organizational culture and internal discipline as principles for running the new agency. He made the remarks in response to a question from Rep. Park Junghyun of the Democratic Party of Korea about how to avoid repeating past practices of the prosecution. While emphasizing equal relationships among staff, Kim also said that discipline must be maintained given the nature of an investigative agency.

He acknowledged that some of the legal reasoning he had previously put forward in opposing prosecution reform was flawed. Rep. Park Jumin of the Democratic Party of Korea presented materials opposing the “Complete Deprivation of the Prosecution’s Investigative Powers” that had been prepared by the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s Criminal Affairs Division in 2022, and pressed Kim on why he now accepted restrictions on prosecutors’ authority to request warrants, which prosecutors had argued at the time could be unconstitutional. Kim replied, “Looking at this now, it seems that some of what we said was wrong.” He denied, however, that he had changed his position because he was nominated to lead the Serious Crime Investigation Agency.

Kim said that day, “I will hold individual investigators accountable for case outcomes, document outside pressure, and address blind spots in victim protection through coordination among investigative agencies.” However, observers say that implementing these measures in actual investigations will remain a challenge for the incoming chief, given that staffing and the computer network are not yet fully in place.

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