Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung nominated Kim Ji-yong, a former senior prosecutor, to lead the new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. The agency is set to launch next month as part of reforms to strip prosecutors of some investigative powers.
This nomination marks a significant step in South Korea's judicial reforms, aiming to rebalance investigative powers and reduce the historical dominance of prosecutors in criminal investigations.
SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung has nominated Kim Ji-yong, a former senior prosecutor, to serve as the first head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. The agency is slated to begin operations on October 2.
Kim, who previously headed the criminal affairs department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, was selected from a pool of four candidates. Minister Yun will recommend Kim to President Lee Jae Myung for the final appointment, which will follow a parliamentary confirmation hearing. If confirmed, Kim will hold the position for a two-year term.
The establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is part of a significant reform aimed at curtailing the prosecution service's independent and supplementary investigative authorities. The new agency will focus on seven key areas of major crime: corruption, economic offenses, defense acquisition irregularities, drug-related crimes, national security offenses, cybercrimes, and violations related to the distortion of law.