Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head South Korea's newly created Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, said on the 14th that he would not repeat past practices such as targeted investigations, fishing expeditions and probes conducted on the premise of indictment, and would base his work solely on evidence and legal principles.
"I believe that upholding procedural justice is the closest and surest path to substantive truth," Kim said in opening remarks at his confirmation hearing before the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee that morning. "If an investigation finds no crime, I will not hesitate to boldly close the case."
Kim repeatedly stressed his commitment to blocking outside pressure and maintaining political neutrality. "I will investigate fairly while preserving political neutrality and independence," he said, pledging to ensure that the agency "can investigate fairly according only to law and principle, without being swayed by outside pressure." He added that he would "take seriously the public's scrutiny of serious crime investigations and make this an agency subject to democratic control."
Asked about his past opposition to abolishing prosecutors' authority to conduct supplementary investigations, Kim said his position had been about protecting crime victims. "I expressed concern that if prosecutors' supplementary investigation authority were abolished without sufficient alternatives, a gap could emerge in the protection of crime victims," he said. "My consistent conviction is that the criminal justice system exists to protect the lives and safety of the people, and that there must not be the slightest negligence in protecting victims."
"Now the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency has taken over from prosecutors the task of supplementary investigations into crimes against the socially vulnerable, and I am well aware that public expectations are high," he said. "Through thorough supplementary investigations, I will protect the socially vulnerable from criminal harm without any gaps."
Kim also outlined plans to build investigative capacity at the new agency. "Insurrection, corruption, financial and economic crimes, along with drug, cyber and technology leak crimes that threaten the lives, property and daily lives of the people, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and advanced," he said. "We will actively recruit talented personnel from the prosecution and police as well as private-sector experts, and build professional capabilities through systematic education and training and by advancing our forensic investigation capacity."
"On Oct. 2, a new criminal justice system began in which investigations are handled by the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the police, and indictments by the Public Prosecution Office," Kim said. "As the first commissioner of an agency launched through the separation of investigation and indictment — the fruit of criminal justice reform — this post is about getting the new organization's first step right, and I will devote all my capabilities and passion to it."