What did SCIA chief nominee Kim Ji-yong promise to do about politically motivated investigations?

Kim Ji-yong pledged to end the politicization of investigations and ensure that the Serious Crime Investigation Agency firmly protects political neutrality and investigative independence. He criticized past prosecution practices as targeted, dirt-digging probes conducted for political purposes.

When is Kim Ji-yong’s confirmation hearing, and why do some ruling-party lawmakers oppose him?

Kim Ji-yong is scheduled to undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing next Wednesday. Some Democratic Party of Korea hardliners oppose his nomination because they claim he previously opposed prosecution reform.

What changed in South Korea’s criminal justice system when the SCIA launched?

The overhaul stripped prosecutors of their power to conduct direct investigations and created the SCIA as part of a new investigative structure. The change followed criticism that prosecutors had pursued political probes.

SCIA chief nominee vows to end 'politicization' of investigations

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Summary

Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, pledged Thursday to end the politicization of investigations and protect the agency’s independence. The SCIA launched last Friday after prosecutors lost their power to conduct direct investigations. Kim is scheduled for a parliamentary confirmation hearing next Wednesday, but some ruling-party lawmakers oppose his nomination.

Key Facts

The criminal justice overhaul assigns investigation powers to the newly launched SCIA while removing prosecutors’ authority to conduct direct investigations.
Kim Ji-yong said past prosecution practices included targeted, dirt-digging probes pursued for political purposes.
Kim said he recognizes that those practices ultimately led to the dismantling of the prosecution.
Some Democratic Party of Korea hardliners claim Kim previously opposed prosecution reform.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 8, 2026 3:05 pm KST

Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor nominated to lead the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, speaks outside his office at Government Complex Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The nominee to lead the newly launched Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) pledged Thursday to end the "politicization" of investigations and to maintain their independence.

The SCIA launched last Friday as part of a major overhaul of the criminal justice system that strips prosecutors of their power to conduct direct investigations amid criticism that they had pursued political probes.

"(I) will first put an end to the politicization of investigations," Kim Ji-yong told reporters. "The prosecution in the past conducted targeted, dirt-digging probes with political purposes, leading to numerous harms.

"(I) painfully recognize the current situation that has ultimately led to the dismantling of the prosecution."

The former prosecutor said he would make efforts to ensure the new agency "firmly" protects political neutrality and the independence of investigations.

Kim is scheduled to undergo his parliamentary confirmation hearing next Wednesday.

His nomination has faced opposition from some ruling Democratic Party of Korea hardliners, who have claimed the nominee had once opposed prosecution reform.

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