Why did lawmakers oppose Kim Ji-yong’s nomination as SCIA chief?

Some hard-line lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the Rebuilding Korea Party questioned Kim Ji-yong’s political neutrality and qualifications. They cited his alleged past opposition to prosecution reform and close ties to former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

When was the Serious Crime Investigation Agency launched and what changed under the criminal justice overhaul?

The SCIA launched on Oct. 2 as part of a major criminal justice overhaul. The changes removed prosecutors’ power to conduct direct investigations, while the new agency assumed serious-crime investigative functions amid criticism that prosecutors had pursued politically motivated probes.

What did Kim Ji-yong promise to do if appointed SCIA chief?

Kim Ji-yong pledged to end the politicization of investigations and ensure that the SCIA protects political neutrality and the independence of probes. He said past prosecution investigations had been politically motivated and promised to prevent similar conduct at the new agency.

Parliamentary committee adopts confirmation hearing report for investigation body chief nominee

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Summary

A parliamentary committee on Thursday approved a confirmation hearing report for Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, amid opposition from some lawmakers. The report was adopted one day after Kim’s hearing. Opponents questioned his political neutrality and qualifications, citing his alleged past opposition to prosecution reform and ties to former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The SCIA launched on Oct. 2 as part of a criminal justice overhaul.

Key Facts

The parliamentary public administration and security committee approved the confirmation hearing report.
The Rebuilding Korea Party formally opposed Kim Ji-yong’s appointment, warning it could undermine prosecution reform.
Presidential secretary for public relations Seong Ghi-hong said Kim had sufficiently addressed concerns during his confirmation hearing.
The SCIA was established to conduct serious-crime investigations after prosecutors lost their power to conduct direct investigations.
Kim Ji-yong pledged to end the politicization of investigations and protect political neutrality and investigative independence.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 15, 2026 3:10 pm KST
Updated Oct 15, 2026 3:20 pm KST

Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, speaks during his parliamentary confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A parliamentary committee on Thursday adopted a confirmation hearing report for Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the newly established Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), amid opposition from some lawmakers.

The parliamentary public administration and security committee approved the report, a day after his confirmation hearing.

Kim's nomination has drawn opposition from some hard-line lawmakers within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, who have questioned his political neutrality and qualifications to lead the SCIA.

They have argued the nominee had previously opposed prosecution reform and had close ties to former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Earlier in the day, the Rebuilding Korea Party adopted the decision to oppose Kim's appointment as its official party line, warning that his appointment could undermine prosecution reform.

In an interview with local radio station CBS, presidential secretary for public relations Seong Ghi-hong said Kim had sufficiently addressed the concerns during his confirmation hearing.

The SCIA was launched on Oct. 2 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.

Kim earlier pledged to put an end to the "politicization" of investigations and ensure the new agency protects political neutrality and the independence of probes, saying the prosecution in the past had conducted politically motivated investigations.

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