President Lee Jae-myung approves appointment of Corruption Investigation Office chief Kim Ji-yong

President Lee Jae-myung is expected to approve on the 16th the appointment of Kim Ji-yong as the first chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). Kim's personnel hearing progress report was adopted by bipartisan agreement at a plenary session of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on the 15th, 37 days after his nomination. The report included views recognizing the nominee's qualifications and ability to perform his duties, alongside concerns about his political neutrality.

Some Democratic Party lawmakers who had opposed the appointment, with vetting now complete, left the final decision to the president. Rep. Yoon Kun-young of the committee, speaking on MBC Radio that day, criticized Kim's hearing remarks regarding the prosecution of former chief prosecutor Jung Jin-ung for assault in an official capacity, saying he was "appalled" and that his doubts had not been fully dispelled, but added, "Whether or not to make the appointment is now entirely the president's call." Rep. Park Ju-min likewise said on Kim Eo-jun's YouTube channel, "From now on, it's the president's call."

Sung Ki-hong, senior presidential secretary for public communication, assessed the hearing on CBS Radio, saying, "It was explained so well that it is hard to point out any flaws or grounds for disqualification."