Kim Ji-young's Confirmation Hearing Expected as Early as the 14th

The confirmation hearing for Kim Ji-young, nominee to head the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), is expected to be held as early as the 14th. With both ruling and opposition parties agreeing to an early hearing, attention is focused on what will transpire.

President Lee Jae-myung submitted Kim's nomination confirmation request to the National Assembly on the 2nd, and a key official in the Democratic Party leadership said on the 4th that "unless a major disqualifying factor emerges, the party's stance is to approve the appointment." Seo Young-kyo, chair of the Democratic Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, told reporters that day that "many of the concerns surrounding Kim have been resolved" and that "the party must stand with President Lee and the ruling party." Rep. Park Ji-won proposed on Facebook the previous day convening a general meeting of lawmakers, holding an unlimited debate, and putting it to a vote to adopt the confirmation report as party policy.

While Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae and Rep. Kim Yong-min expressed opposition, labeling Kim a "pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) prosecutor" and a "prosecutorial elitist," President Lee posted a series of messages on X: "Forced arguments made despite knowing they are false constitute obstruction of state affairs" (Aug. 30), "If we're told not to appoint someone just because they're from the prosecution, that amounts to trying to destroy the CIO" (Aug. 1), and "At the very least, it would be hard to deny he is pro-Yoon" (Aug. 2).

Both the ruling and opposition parties agree the hearing should be held as soon as possible. The Administrative and Home Affairs Committee plans to finalize the hearing schedule on the 6th, and it is reported that the 14th — when the National Assembly audit schedule is open — is a feasible date.