What has to happen before Choi Kil-su can officially become special inspector?

Choi must undergo a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly before appointment. The presidential spokesperson first said he had been appointed, but later clarified that the hearing is still required.

How long has the special inspector post been empty, and when was it created?

The post was created in 2014 under then President Park Geun-hye. It has been left vacant since 2016, so a confirmed appointment would make Choi the first special inspector in a decade.

Lee nominates special inspector to investigate corruption involving president's family, close aides

Q: Who is President Lee Jae Myung nominating as special inspector, and what will the job cover?

Lee nominated former senior prosecutor Choi Kil-su. The special inspector would investigate corruption allegations involving the president’s family and key aides and prevent irregularities involving them.

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung has nominated former prosecutor Choi Kil-su as special inspector to investigate corruption allegations involving the president’s family and key aides in Seoul on Monday. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Choi was chosen from three candidates recommended by rival parties and the bar association. Choi must still face a National Assembly confirmation hearing before appointment. If confirmed, he would be the first person to hold the post in a decade.

Key Facts

The independent inspector general position was established in 2014 under then President Park Geun-hye.
The office has been vacant since 2016.
By law, the National Assembly must recommend three candidates with at least 15 years of legal experience, and the president must select one.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 24, 2026 4:48 pm KST
Updated Aug 24, 2026 5:20 pm KST

Senior spokesperson Kang Yu-jung speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Monday, regarding President Lee Jae-myung’s nomination of a special inspector general. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung has nominated a former prosecutor as the special inspector in charge of investigating corruption allegations involving the president's family and key aides, a presidential spokesperson said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung announced the nomination of Choi Kil-su, a former senior prosecutor, from among three candidates recommended by the rival parties and the bar association.

Kang initially said Lee has appointed Choi as special inspector, but Choi is required to undergo a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly before his appointment. If appointed, Choi will become the first special inspector to serve in the position in a decade.

The independent inspector general position was established in 2014 under then President Park Geun-hye, but it has been left vacant since 2016.

By law, the National Assembly must recommend three candidates with at least 15 years of legal experience, from which the president is required to select one.

Kang described Choi as an expert well-versed in investigating corruption cases involving high-ranking officials, saying he will be in charge of preventing any irregularities involving members of the president's family and key aides in order to uphold public order.

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