Kim Jin-wook, Appointed Head of the Corruption Investigation Office, "Well Aware of Expectations and Concerns Regarding the Launch of the Office"

Kim Jin-wook, senior researcher at the Constitutional Court, who was nominated as the first head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency on the 30th, is seen arriving at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Kim Jin-wook, the nominee for the first Chief of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (Gong-su-cheo), said, "I am well aware of the expectations and concerns regarding the launch of Gong-su-cheo."

In a statement sent to reporters that afternoon, Kim said, "I am well aware of the many expectations and concerns about the launch of Gong-su-cheo," and added, "Although I am lacking, I will do my best to prepare for the confirmation hearing as the public’s verifier of public office candidates."

Kim, who is from Daegu, graduated from Boseong High School and Seoul National University’s Department of Archaeology. He was appointed as a judge in 1995 as part of the 21st class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, then opened a law practice in 1998 and worked as a lawyer at Kim & Chang Law Office for 12 years until 2010. In 1999, he also participated as a special investigator in the special prosecutor team for the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation strike inducement case.

From 2010, he served as a constitutional researcher at the Constitutional Court, holding positions such as Chief Secretary to the President of the Constitutional Court, Senior Constitutional Researcher, and International Deliberation Officer. Inside and outside the legal community, he is known for his gentle personality with a strong inner resolve.

Kim will be appointed as the first Chief of Gong-su-cheo after a confirmation hearing in the National Assembly.

Immediately after Kim’s nomination, a Blue House official stated, "Kim has worked hard to uphold constitutional values such as the rule of law and democracy, and has actively engaged in public interest activities including serving as Deputy Secretary-General of the Korean Bar Association. With diverse legal experience as a judge, lawyer, senior researcher at the Constitutional Court, and special investigator for the special prosecutor, we judged that he possesses expertise, balance, and capability," explaining the background of his nomination.

Right after being recommended as the final candidate, Kim said in a media interview, "I guess the recommendation committee saw me as neutral because the Constitutional Court, where I worked for a long time, is a politically unbiased and neutral institution."

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