Inaugural SCIA chief reaffirms pledge to end 'politicization' of investigations

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SEOUL, Oct. 19 (Yonhap) -- The inaugural chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA) on Monday reiterated his pledge to end the "politicization" of investigations.

Kim Ji-yong was appointed to lead the newly launched agency Thursday following a major overhaul to the criminal justice system earlier this month that stripped prosecutors of their investigative powers.

"The previous prosecution caused various harms, such as abusing investigative powers, and I think the root cause of that lies with the politicization of investigations," he told reporters.

"The SCIA will establish itself as an investigative agency that the public will not have to worry about by strictly upholding fairness, neutrality and procedural justice."

Kim, as nominee, had vowed to prioritize ending the "politicization" of investigations.

The SCIA was launched on Oct. 2 as part of reforms to the prosecution amid criticism that prosecutors pursued politically motivated investigations.

Kim Ji-yong, head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, speaks to reporters as he arrives at his office in central Seoul on Oct. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (END)

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首尔，10 月 19 日（韩联社）——韩国重案调查厅（SCIA）首任厅长周一重申了他结束调查“政治化”的承诺。

本月早些时候，刑事司法系统进行了重大改革，剥夺了检察官的调查权。周四，金智勇被任命为新成立的司法机构的负责人。

“之前的检控造成了各种危害，例如滥用调查权力，我认为其根源在于调查的政治化，”他告诉记者。

“SCIA 将严格秉持公平、中立和程序正义的原则，使自身成为一个公众无需担忧的调查机构。”

金作为提名人曾誓言要优先结束调查的“政治化”。

SCIA 于 10 月 2 日启动，作为检察机关改革的一部分，此前检察机关因进行政治动机调查而受到批评。

2026年10月19日，重案搜查厅厅长金智龙抵达位于首尔市中心的办公室时接受记者采访。（韩联社）

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr (完)

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