SCIA chief nominee vows to end 'politicization' of investigations

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SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- The nominee to lead the newly launched Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) pledged Thursday to end the "politicization" of investigations and to maintain their independence.

The SCIA launched last Friday as part of a major overhaul of the criminal justice system that strips prosecutors of their power to conduct direct investigations amid criticism that they had pursued political probes.

"(I) will first put an end to the politicization of investigations," Kim Ji-yong told reporters. "The prosecution in the past conducted targeted, dirt-digging probes with political purposes, leading to numerous harms.

"(I) painfully recognize the current situation that has ultimately led to the dismantling of the prosecution."

The former prosecutor said he would make efforts to ensure the new agency "firmly" protects political neutrality and the independence of investigations.

Kim is scheduled to undergo his parliamentary confirmation hearing next Wednesday.

His nomination has faced opposition from some ruling Democratic Party hardliners, who have claimed the nominee had once opposed prosecution reform.

Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor nominated to lead the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, speaks outside his office in central Seoul on Oct. 8, 2026. (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (END)

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SCIA chief nominee vows to end 'politicization' of investigations

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首尔，10月8日（韩联社）——新成立的重案调查局（SCIA）局长提名人周四承诺，将结束调查的“政治化”，并保持调查的独立性。

上周五启动的《刑事司法改革法案》(SCIA) 是刑事司法系统重大改革的一部分，该法案剥夺了检察官进行直接调查的权力，此前检察官曾因进行政治调查而受到批评。

金智英告诉记者：“我首先要杜绝调查政治化。过去检方出于政治目的进行有针对性的、挖掘黑料的调查，造成了诸多危害。”

“（我）痛苦地意识到，目前的形势最终导致了检方的解散。”

这位前检察官表示，他将努力确保新机构“坚定”地维护政治中立性和调查独立性。

金正恩将于下周三接受国会确认听证。

他的提名遭到了执政的民主党强硬派的反对，他们声称该候选人曾反对检察改革。

2026年10月8日，被提名为重案调查厅厅长的前检察官金智勇在首尔市中心办公室外发表讲话。（韩联社）

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (完)

（第三条）韩国推出缩减规模的检察机关和新的调查机构，进行重大改革

执政党对成立78年后检察机关的终结表示欢迎；人民进步党对改革表示担忧

SCIA和警方可能因管辖权不明确而面临摩擦。

最高法院情报局局长提名人誓言结束调查的“政治化”