Kim Jiyong, SCIA Chief, on 'Investigation Ping-Pong' Controversy: "Early-Stage Misunderstandings... Public Rights Matter More Than Agency Positions"

Pays courtesy call on acting National Police Agency chief; discusses ways to cooperate
On claim that only three cases were transferred: "Far more than that"
"Consultations consider investigative effectiveness and case severity"

Kim Jiyong, head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA), said on Tuesday, the 10th, regarding the so-called “investigation ping-pong” controversy over case transfers between the SCIA and the police, “There may be some misunderstandings because the agency is still in its early days.” He added, “When it comes to protecting the public’s rights and interests, how important can the agencies’ positions really be?”

Yonhap News Agency

Kim made the remarks while speaking with reporters before paying a courtesy call on Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Kim Jongcheol at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday afternoon.

Emphasizing the purpose of his visit, he said, “A new criminal justice system is being implemented. For the public to see its benefits, the country’s two major investigative agencies—the police and the SCIA—must each perform their roles well, but it is also extremely important that they cooperate with one another.” He added, “I visited to discuss various ways the two agencies can work together and to pay my respects.”

Asked about claims that the police had notified the SCIA of around 3,000 cases but that only three had actually been transferred, he replied, “The number is far higher than three.” However, he did not disclose the exact number of transferred cases.

“There are still cases under discussion,” Kim said. “We are considering which agency’s handling would best serve the public’s rights and interests and be effective in advancing the investigation, as well as the relative seriousness of each case.” He added, “I think things may change as more time passes.”

Asked whether differences between the two agencies over case transfers might delay investigations or lead them to pass cases back and forth, he indicated that the issue had arisen during consultations in the agency’s early days. “There may be some misunderstandings because we are still in the early stages, but when it comes to protecting the public’s rights and interests, what does an agency’s position matter so much?” Kim asked rhetorically.

The SCIA, which was launched on October 2, took over the prosecution service’s former direct-investigation functions and is also coordinating with the police on which agency will investigate major crime cases. However, concerns have been raised that differing judgments by the agencies during case transfers could cause confusion over investigative authority.

Meanwhile, when asked whether heads of investigative agencies still needed to attend Cabinet meetings, Kim said, “There are some aspects where that is the case,” but declined to give a specific answer, saying, “I’ll talk about that later.”

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