Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korea crime agency nominee pledges independence from outside pressure
Kim Ji-yong pledged to keep investigations free from outside pressure at his confirmation hearing in South Korea’s National Assembly on October 14.
The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency began operating on October 2 under a new system that separates investigations from prosecutions.
The agency investigates serious crimes, while a separate prosecution service handles charges under this arrangement.
Kim said he would end practices such as politically targeted investigations and searches that intrude excessively into people’s lives.
He promised investigations based on evidence and law, and said cases should be closed when evidence does not establish a crime.
He also said the agency should build specialist skills and strengthen follow-up investigations into crimes against vulnerable people.
Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead South Korea’s newly established Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, pledged to resist outside pressure and investigate fairly under the law.
Speaking at his confirmation hearing on October 14, he said the agency would respect political neutrality and independence.
He said investigators would end cases if the evidence did not establish a crime and would not repeat practices such as targeted or fishing-expedition investigations.
Kim also pledged to protect the rights of people involved in investigations and to ensure thorough follow-up investigations into crimes against vulnerable people.
The new criminal justice system, which separates investigations from prosecutions, began on October 2, according to Kim.
- Who
- Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.
- What
- He pledged to resist outside pressure and uphold political neutrality and independence in investigations.
- When
- October 14, 2026, at his confirmation hearing.
- Where
- The National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- He said the new agency must establish the principles of criminal justice reform, deliver justice and protect people’s daily lives.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The new criminal justice system began, with investigations assigned to the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, police and other investigative bodies, and prosecutions to the Prosecution Service.
Kim Ji-yong made his pledges at a confirmation hearing before the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee.
- Nominee
- Kim Ji-yong
- Agency
- Serious Crimes Investigation Agency
- Hearing date
- October 14, 2026
- New system began
- October 2, 2026
- Prosecutions
- Prosecution Service
- Investigations
- Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, police and other investigative bodies
4 sources
What people are saying
I will ensure that the agency can investigate fairly according to law and principle without being shaken by outside pressure.
If a crime is not established as a result of an investigation, I will not hesitate to boldly close the investigation.
I will not repeat practices that concern the public, such as targeted investigations, fishing-expedition investigations, or investigations conducted on the premise of prosecution.