Kim Jeonghwan of Seoul Metropolitan Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Tapped as Co-Head of 'Special Investigation Headquarters on Insurrection'

Police Senior Superintendent General Kang Ilgu Expected to Jointly Lead the SIH
To Investigate Remaining Cases from the Three Special Prosecutors and the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor

Kim Jeonghwan, 46, director of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and a member of the 37th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, has been tapped as co-head of the “Special Investigation Headquarters on Insurrection” (SIH), which will investigate cases related to the Dec. 3 emergency martial law declaration.

On the 16th, the Major Crimes Investigation Agency began full operations just two weeks after opening. President Lee Jaemyung approved the appointment of Kim Jiyong, the agency’s first commissioner nominee, on the 15th. No longer a nominee, Commissioner Kim reported for work for the first time on the 16th, avoiding reporters. 2026.10.16 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

According to legal circles on Nov. 10, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is strongly considering seconding Director Kim to head the SIH. He is expected to lead the unit alongside Senior Superintendent General Kang Ilgu, who is expected to be seconded from the National Police Agency.

A former prosecutor, Kim joined the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in 2011. He has since served as a prosecutor-researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, head of the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Division, and chief of Financial Investigation Division 2 at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office.

Senior Superintendent General Kang has led a dedicated investigation team handling the remaining cases after the existing “Special Investigation Headquarters for Cases Handed Over by the National Police Agency’s Three Special Prosecutors” was disbanded. The team is said to have concluded a total of 121 cases, including referring 16 cases to prosecutors over about eight months.

The SIH plans to investigate cases related to the Dec. 3 emergency martial law declaration overall, including remaining cases handed over by the three special prosecutors and the second comprehensive special prosecutor.

In August, Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Kwon Changyoung proposed forming the SIH while announcing the investigation results, saying, “It would be appropriate to establish a standing special investigation headquarters involving multiple investigative agencies and continue systematic, long-term investigations.”

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