First Meeting of the Candidate Recommendation Committee for the Corruption Investigation Office Chief

Late Departure Just 3 Months After Law Enforcement

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office Chief (Public Official Crime Investigation Office Chief) Candidate Recommendation Committee held its first meeting on the 30th, about three months after the law came into effect. The recommendation committee is expected to elect the recommendation committee chairperson and begin the process of recommending candidates for the Public Official Crime Investigation Office Chief on the same day. The Public Official Crime Investigation Office Act has been in effect since July 15.

The appointment ceremony for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo) Chief Candidate Recommendation Committee was held on the 30th in the National Assembly reception room. Attending the event, Professor Kim Jong-cheol of Yonsei University Law School (from left), Lee Chan-hee, President of the Korean Bar Association, Cho Jae-yeon, Director of the Court Administration Office, Park Byeong-seok, Speaker, Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice, lawyers Lim Jeong-hyeok, Park Gyeong-jun, and Lee Heon are posing for a photo. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the morning of the same day, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok presented appointment letters to the seven recommendation committee members at the National Assembly. Speaker Park said, "Since we are starting late, more than a hundred days past the legal deadline, I ask you to approach this with sincerity and diligence." He added, "There is a saying, 'Gongmyeongjijo,' meaning that if a bird with two heads fights with itself, it will die. I hope you recommend someone who can set aside political views and respond to the spirit of the law and the people's aspirations," urging a smooth bipartisan agreement for the appointment of the candidate.

The Public Official Crime Investigation Office Act stipulates that the committee should consist of seven members: the Minister of Justice, the Chief of the Court Administration, the President of the Korean Bar Association, and two members recommended by negotiation groups. Accordingly, ex officio members include Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, Chief of the Court Administration Jo Jae-yeon, and Korean Bar Association President Lee Chan-hee. For the ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, Professor Kim Jong-cheol of Yonsei University and lawyer Park Kyung-jun were appointed, while for the People Power Party, lawyers Lee Heon and Lim Jeong-hyeok were appointed.

Despite the committee being formed after many twists and turns and holding its first meeting, difficulties are expected from the outset in selecting candidates for the Public Official Crime Investigation Office Chief. The key issue is whether the People Power Party will use its 'veto power' card. The recommendation committee must recommend two candidates for the Public Official Crime Investigation Office Chief to the president with the consent of at least six of the seven members. If both People Power Party recommendation members oppose, the appointment itself becomes impossible.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.