SUWON — Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae on the 13th asked to be called as a witness at the confirmation hearing for Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, continuing her criticism of the nominee ahead of the Oct. 14 session.
Choo made the remarks in response to a question from Rep. Kang Myung-koo of the People Power Party during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of Gyeonggi Province, held at the provincial government's Yulgok Hall on the afternoon of the 13th.
Kang noted that Choo had promoted and selected Kim as a chief prosecutor while serving as justice minister under the Moon Jae-in administration. "The governor confessed on social media that she had terrible judgment about people," Kang said sarcastically. "Doesn't President Lee Jae-myung also lack judgment about people?"
Choo declined to answer directly, saying, "It's hard to respond, because of how the question is framed."
When Kang pressed again, telling her to "watch tomorrow's hearing for nominee Kim Ji-yong closely and pay attention to Gyeonggi Province's affairs," Choo raised her voice: "If you want to conduct the hearing properly, call me as a witness. I will cooperate."
Ahead of the audit, Choo had made clear through social media that she opposes Kim's appointment. Drawing on her experience as justice minister, she sharply criticized the nominee, comparing him to a "secret agent," a "Nazi war criminal" and Adolf Eichmann.
At the audit, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties pressed Choo with critical questions, arguing that she was focusing on national politics rather than provincial administration.
Responding to a question from Rep. Kwon Young-jin of the People Power Party, Choo said, "Nominee Kim is not only a prosecutor loyal to former President Yoon, but I also believe he is unfit for that position as a public official."
"It is true that I have spoken repeatedly about nominee Kim," she said. "Based on my experience in public office, I laid out precisely, with grounds and examples, why he is highly unsuitable as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency."
"If someone who knows these facts stays silent, it will become a historical failing," she added. "I spoke out for the country, based on my sense of responsibility and my conscience."