People Power Party: "President Moon Nominates CIO Chief Opposed by Opposition... Will Conduct Thorough Verification"

"Unchecked CIO Will Only Serve as a Pro-Moon Blue House Protection Agency"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Lim Chunhan] On December 30, the People Power Party criticized President Moon Jae-in for nominating Kim Jinwook, a former judge and senior researcher at the Constitutional Court, as the inaugural head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). The party stated, "When President Moon met with the opposition floor leader, he promised to appoint someone the opposition would not object to. However, he completely deprived the opposition of its right to recommend candidates and pushed through the nomination process under the ruling party's leadership, ultimately designating someone the opposition opposes as the CIO chief."

Choi Hyungdu, floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, commented in a statement that day, "While claiming to separate the investigative and prosecutorial powers of the prosecution and police, the ruling party unilaterally nominated a candidate for CIO chief who holds both powers and is virtually unchecked, excluding the opposition from the process. The CIO can receive and take all information, from internal investigations by the prosecution and police to all public official corruption cases. It holds the status of the highest investigative agency, which is not even stipulated in the Constitution. Shouldn't reform of power institutions be based on mutual checks and balances?"

Spokesperson Choi further stated, "If the CIO takes over the case of interference in the audit of the economic feasibility of Wolseong Unit 1 or the Blue House's alleged involvement in the Ulsan mayoral election, the true nature of the so-called Blue House protection agency will be revealed. An unverified, unchecked CIO, whose morality and competence have not been proven, will only serve as a pro-Moon Blue House protection agency."

Choi also declared, "The People Power Party will thoroughly scrutinize and question the nominee for CIO chief, who was designated by the president and ruling party after stripping the opposition of its right to recommend candidates, to determine in the confirmation hearing whether the nominee will indeed become a pro-Moon Blue House protection chief, as the public fears."

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