Kim Ji-yong named final candidate to lead Serious Crimes Investigation Agency

Kim Ji-yong, a 58-year-old former prosecutor, has emerged as the final candidate to lead South Korea’s Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, which will begin operating on Oct. 2 with the abolition of the prosecution service.

Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-joong said on the 7th that he had decided to nominate Kim in line with the recommendation of the agency’s candidate committee. Yoon described him as a criminal investigation and legal expert with extensive experience in investigations, inspection work and trials.

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We decided to nominate Kim Ji-yong in accordance with the recommendation of the candidate recommendation committee for the head of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency.

Yoon also highlighted Kim’s experience in the leadership of major investigative institutions, saying he had managed organizations stably. The minister presented those qualifications as suited to helping establish the new criminal justice system, which separates investigation from prosecution, and to easing concerns about gaps in investigative work.

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He is an investigation and legal expert who has built extensive experience in criminal justice, including investigations, inspection work and trials.

Kim was born in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, and graduated from Sungkyunkwan University’s law department. He began as a prosecutor at the Daejeon District Prosecutors’ Office and later led the special investigations division in Daegu and the second trial division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. During the Moon Jae-in administration, he served as chief prosecutor of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors’ Office and head of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s criminal affairs division.

Soon after the Yoon Suk Yeol administration took office, Kim was transferred in June 2022 to serve as deputy chief prosecutor at the Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office, a move described as a demotion. He left the prosecution service about a year later. If President Lee accepts Yoon’s nomination and appoints Kim, the candidate will face a parliamentary confirmation hearing.

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He also has experience stably managing organizations after serving in the leadership of major investigative institutions.