Lee Jae-myung says it's premature to label Kim Ji-yong as pro-Yoon, pushing back directly on X

President Lee Jae-myung posted on X on the 2nd a message to the effect that it is difficult to definitively label Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Investigation Office for Serious Crimes, as pro-Yoon (aligned with Yoon Suk-yeol). He cited the fact that the nominee had ordered a reinvestigation into the case involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol's mother-in-law, who was acquitted of instigating perjury, and was subsequently demoted, effectively ending his career as a prosecutor.

President Lee also personally addressed the nominee's qualifications, saying, "While I cannot say he is a 100% perfect candidate, he does not appear to be so flawed as to warrant stripping him of the opportunity for a National Assembly hearing, disregarding the citizen recommendation, the fourfold shortlisting by an independent recommendation committee, and the nomination by the Minister of the Interior and Safety." He added that demanding a new nomination was also not appropriate, noting the results of an extensive additional vetting process and the fact that Kim was judged to be the best of the four candidates shortlisted by the recommendation committee.

President Lee also emphasized the legitimacy of the appointment procedure. He explained that the appointment of the head of the Investigation Office for Serious Crimes is not something the president arbitrarily decides, but follows legal procedures: citizen recommendation, shortlisting to four candidates by the recommendation committee, nomination by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and a National Assembly hearing. He then urged, "Let's watch the outcome of the hearing together."