What did Kim Ji-yong promise at his confirmation hearing for SCIA chief?

Kim Ji-yong promised to conduct investigations impartially and to ensure that the Serious Crime Investigation Agency acts according to law and principles without yielding to external pressure. He also pledged to uphold political neutrality and independence.

Why was the Serious Crime Investigation Agency established in South Korea?

The SCIA was established as part of a major criminal justice overhaul that removed prosecutors’ independent investigative powers. The new system gives investigative agencies such as the SCIA and police responsibility for investigations, while the Prosecution Service handles indictments.

What four priorities did Kim Ji-yong outline for building public trust in the SCIA?

Kim identified protecting human rights, strengthening specialized investigative capabilities, conducting thorough supplementary investigations into crimes involving socially vulnerable groups, and ensuring political neutrality and independence as the SCIA’s four priorities.

New major crimes chief nominee vows not to give in to external pressure

Listen

Summary

Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, vowed at a National Assembly confirmation hearing Wednesday to conduct investigations impartially and resist external pressure. The SCIA launched on Oct. 2 as part of a criminal justice overhaul removing prosecutors’ independent investigative powers. Under the new system, the SCIA and police investigate cases while the Prosecution Service handles indictments. Kim identified four priorities for earning public trust.

Key Facts

Kim said the SCIA would conduct fair investigations based solely on law and principles while upholding political neutrality and independence.
The criminal justice overhaul assigns investigations to agencies including the SCIA and police, while the Prosecution Service is responsible for indictments.
Kim’s four proposed priorities are protecting human rights, strengthening specialized investigative capabilities, conducting supplementary investigations into crimes involving socially vulnerable groups, and ensuring political neutrality and independence.
The SCIA was launched on Oct. 2 as part of a major overhaul of the criminal justice system.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 14, 2026 12:12 pm KST

Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the newly established Serious Crime Investigation Agency, answers questions from lawmakers at his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the newly established Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA), emphasized political neutrality and independence at his parliamentary confirmation hearing Wednesday, vowing to pursue investigations without yielding to external pressure.

"I will conduct investigations impartially, upholding political neutrality and independence," Kim said in his opening remarks at the National Assembly hearing.

"I will ensure that the SCIA conducts fair investigations based solely on the law and principles, without yielding to external pressure," he said.

The SCIA was launched on Oct. 2 as part of a major overhaul of the criminal justice system that removes prosecutors' independent investigative powers.

A new criminal justice system set sail, under which investigative agencies, including the SCIA and police, handle investigations, while the Prosecution Service is responsible for indictments.

Kim vowed to ensure that SCIA fully fulfills its role in upholding judicial justice and protecting the daily lives of the public.

He then promised to accomplish four key tasks to earn public trust in the SCIA if given the opportunity to serve as its inaugural head.

Kim outlined the four tasks: protecting human rights, strengthening specialized investigative capabilities, conducting thorough supplementary investigations into crimes against socially vulnerable groups, and ensuring political neutrality and independence.

Explore More