Politics · South Korea · 1 day ago
South Korea’s ruling party divided over nominee for major crimes agency chief
South Korea’s ruling party is divided over Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to lead the new Major Crimes Investigation Agency.
His confirmation hearing is scheduled for October 14.
President Lee Jae-myung has criticized party members who oppose Kim’s nomination, saying reform should not be used to attack others or pursue personal agendas.
Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung ordered an inspection of senior agency official Lim Eun-jung, who has publicly criticized Kim.
Lim said she was disappointed to become the agency’s first inspection target.
The dispute also involves Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, whom Lee criticized over cuts to welfare and other budgets after she declared a fiscal emergency.
The conflict could intensify at Gyeonggi’s National Assembly audits on October 13 and 19, as well as at Kim’s hearing.
South Korea’s ruling camp is divided over Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to lead the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.
President Lee Jae-myung has criticized party hardliners who oppose Kim’s nomination, while lawmakers and Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae have continued to challenge it.
On October 11, Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung said he had ordered an inspection of Lim Eun-jung, a regional agency chief who has publicly criticized Kim.
Kim’s parliamentary confirmation hearing is scheduled for October 14.
The dispute could come to a head at hearings on Gyeonggi Province scheduled for October 13 and 19.
- Who
- Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, and ruling-camp figures who support or oppose his nomination.
- What
- The ruling camp is divided over Kim’s nomination, and the interior minister ordered an inspection of a critic of the nominee.
- When
- The dispute was reported on October 11, 2026; Kim’s confirmation hearing is scheduled for October 14.
- Where
- South Korea; the dispute also involves Gyeonggi Province.
- Why
- Hardliners say Kim is unsuitable for the post, while Lee has criticized their opposition and public challenges to the nomination.
President Lee Jae-myung and supporters of Kim Ji-yong
Ruling-camp figures opposing Kim’s nomination
Nomination
President Lee Jae-myung and supporters of Kim Ji-yong
Lee has defended the appointment and criticized those opposing it.
Ruling-camp figures opposing Kim’s nomination
They say Kim is unfit to lead the agency.
Public criticism
President Lee Jae-myung and supporters of Kim Ji-yong
The government has characterized Lim Eun-jung’s criticism as political intervention and ordered an inspection of her.
Ruling-camp figures opposing Kim’s nomination
Lim and other critics have publicly challenged Kim’s suitability.
Political dispute
President Lee Jae-myung and supporters of Kim Ji-yong
Lee has warned against using reform as a means to attack others.
Ruling-camp figures opposing Kim’s nomination
Kim Yong-min said he would continue pursuing prosecutorial and judicial reform.
Choo Mi-ae declared a fiscal emergency in Gyeonggi Province and announced cuts to public-service and other budgets.
Lee said reform should not be used to attract attention or attack others.
Kim held a news conference at his confirmation-hearing preparation office in Seoul.
Lee criticized people opposing Kim’s nomination in a post on X.
Yoon announced an inspection of Lim, and Lee again criticized Choo over budget cuts.
Kim’s parliamentary confirmation hearing is scheduled to take place.
- Nominee
- Kim Ji-yong
- Position
- First chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency
- Confirmation hearing
- October 14
- Inspection target
- Lim Eun-jung, a regional agency chief
- Gyeonggi Province hearings
- October 13 and 19
What people are saying
Reform should be the goal, not a means to show how uncompromising you are, attract attention, or attack someone.
Lim seems to mistake the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency for a political institution rather than an investigative one.
It is regrettable and sad that I have become the first inspection target of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.
Even if I lose that authority, I will continue to move forward.
Sources
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