President Lee Jae-myung approved on the 15th the appointment of Kim Ji-yong as commissioner of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. The agency gains its first chief 13 days after its launch.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a notice to the media that the president had approved the appointment of Kim, whose confirmation hearing report had been adopted. The National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee earlier adopted the report on Kim with agreement from both the ruling and opposition parties. Kim is expected to begin work immediately.
Lee also called for special measures to dispel concerns about gaps in public safety that have been raised during the recent overhaul of the criminal justice system. At a meeting with senior secretaries the same day, the president said public anxiety was running high after a series of violent crimes, including deaths caused by crimes between people who knew each other and knife attacks. "Draw up extraordinary measures as soon as possible, with the resolve of declaring war on violent crime," he said.