Confirmation Hearing for Corruption Investigation Office Chief Nominee Kim Ji-yong to Be Held on the 14th

The National Assembly's confirmation hearing for Kim Ji-yong, nominee to lead the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), will be held on the 14th. Key issues expected to dominate the hearing include allegations that Kim is a pro-Yoon figure (referring to the hiring of officials loyal to Yoon Suk-yeol) and the controversy over the transfer of the investigation into the financial sector hacking case. Kim was nominated by President Lee Jae-myung on the 8th of last month as the first CIO chief. The CIO was launched on October 2, alongside the new Public Prosecutions Office, as part of the abolition of the prosecution service.

Amid this, voices of opposition to the appointment have emerged even within the ruling party. Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae expressed her opposition on social media on the 7th, calling Kim a "pro-Yoon (Suk-yeol), pro-Han (Dong-hoon) prosecutor and a prosecution loyalist."

Despite objections from within the ruling camp, the party leadership has moved to shield the nominee. Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok signaled his intention to protect Kim. However, some lawmakers, including Yoon Gun-young and Park Ju-min, have pledged a "pinpoint verification" of the nominee.

With the hearing schedule now confirmed, the positions of presidential chief secretary and justice minister remain vacant. Three weeks have passed since Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik offered to resign, yet President Lee has not named a successor. The justice minister post has also been empty since former minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew. Kim's nomination comes amid this vacuum in justice and law enforcement appointments.