How was Choi Kil-su selected for South Korea’s special inspector post?

Lee chose Choi from three candidates recommended by the ruling and opposition parties and the bar association. The parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee adopted Choi’s confirmation hearing report with bipartisan support the day before the appointment.

How long had South Korea’s special inspector post been vacant before Choi Kil-su’s appointment?

The post had been vacant since its first inspector stepped down in September 2016. It was established in 2014, and Choi became the first presidential watchdog appointed since 2016.

Lee appoints special inspector to probe corruption involving first family, aides

Q: Who did President Lee Jae Myung appoint as special inspector, and what will the inspector investigate?

Lee appointed Choi Kil-su, a former senior prosecutor. His remit covers corruption allegations involving the president’s spouse and close relatives, along with senior presidential officials.

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung appointed former senior prosecutor Choi Kil-su as special inspector on Friday. Choi will investigate corruption allegations involving Lee’s spouse and close relatives, as well as senior presidential officials. The appointment followed bipartisan support for his confirmation report in a parliamentary committee the previous day. Choi is the first presidential watchdog appointed since 2016.

Key Facts

The parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee adopted Choi’s confirmation hearing report with support from both parties.
Lee selected Choi from three candidates recommended by the ruling and opposition parties and the bar association.
The special inspector post was established in 2014.
The post had remained vacant since its first inspector stepped down in September 2016.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 23, 2026 2:38 pm KST

Choi Kil-su, then nominee for the special inspector in charge of investigating corruption allegations involving the president's family and key aides, arrives at his office in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday appointed a former senior prosecutor as special inspector tasked with investigating irregularities involving the president's spouse, close relatives and senior presidential officials.

Lee approved the appointment of Choi Kil-su, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said, a day after the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee adopted a confirmation hearing report on him with bipartisan support.

The appointment made Choi, a former senior prosecutor, the first presidential watchdog appointed since 2016.

Lee earlier nominated him for the post from among three candidates recommended by the ruling and opposition parties, and the bar association.

The special inspector is tasked with investigating corruption allegations involving the president's family and relatives, as well as senior presidential aides.

The special inspector post was established in 2014 but had remained vacant since its first inspector stepped down in September 2016.

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