Public Administration and Security Committee Adopts Confirmation Hearing Report on Kim Jiyong, Nominee for Agency Chief (Updated)

The National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee adopted a report on Kim Jiyong's confirmation hearing as nominee for chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency on Oct. 15.

The committee held a plenary session that day and adopted the report by agreement between the ruling and opposition parties. The report reportedly included both parties' opinions that Kim was qualified and unqualified.

Concerns about Kim's suitability had become an issue, with even members of the ruling party voicing objections. At the confirmation hearing the previous day, lawmakers from both the opposition and the ruling party sharply scrutinized Kim, an unusual turn of events.

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

On SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" that day, Kim Young-jin, chair of the committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "(Kim) has the ability to adequately carry out the duties of chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency." He added, "I don't think he acted or made decisions to side with pro-Yoon figures or to gain from riding the political tide."

Park Joo-min, a ruling party lawmaker who had sharply scrutinized Kim at the previous day's hearing, said, "I got the impression that he is someone who is easily shaken," but added, "Now it's the president's decision to make." He meant that President Lee Jae-myung should decide whether to make the final appointment. Yoon Kun-young, the Democratic Party's ranking committee member, also said, "Whether to make the appointment or not is entirely the president's decision," adding, "(President Lee) should listen carefully to the people and make a decision, and I think that decision should also be respected."

With the National Assembly's confirmation hearing process complete, Kim's appointment is expected to move forward. Seong Ki-hong, senior secretary for public relations and communications at the Presidential Office, appeared on CBS Radio's "Park Sung-tae's News Show" that day and said, "The nominee explained himself well enough that it would be difficult to point to any issue that would constitute a flaw or disqualification for serving as the first chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency."

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