Starting with Candidate Kim Jin-wook for the Corruption Investigation Office Chief... 'Hearing Political Turmoil'... Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash over 'Document Submission'

Kim Jin-wook, the first nominee for the Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo), is attending the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 19th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The National Assembly has entered the new year confirmation hearing season, starting with the nomination hearing for Kim Jin-wook, candidate for the head of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Office (Gongsoocheo). The ruling and opposition parties clashed over inadequate submission of documents even before the hearing began. The opposition party pressed Kim on his stock trading history and research conducted during his time as a researcher at the Constitutional Court. Heated debates are also expected over who will be the first investigation target of the Gongsoocheo.

In his opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee that morning, Kim stated, "I will do my best to establish the Gongsoocheo as an advanced investigative agency that earns the trust of the people," adding, "I will uphold political neutrality and independence and investigate corruption among high-ranking officials without exception."

However, the opposition, which has generally held a negative stance toward the launch of the Gongsoocheo, immediately launched an offensive. Yoon Han-hong, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out, "Kim holds as many as 13 stocks, including a significant number related to COVID-19," and added, "We requested the transaction details, but they have not been submitted citing personal information reasons." Jo Soo-jin, also from the same party, said, "There are suspicions that he traded stocks while serving as a public official at the Constitutional Court," emphasizing, "If the trades occurred during working hours, this would constitute neglect of duty and dereliction of responsibility."

Jeon Ju-hye criticized, "I have participated in four confirmation hearings so far, but this is the first time I have seen such careless responses and document submissions," and added, "Despite requests for basic materials that the public is curious about, such as minutes from the advisory committee meetings of the Gongsoocheo establishment preparation team, the status of cases handled during his time at Kim & Chang, the status of establishment team staff, records from his time as a Constitutional Court researcher, and attendance records from his doctoral program at Seoul National University, none have been submitted yet."

In response, Song Ki-heon of the Democratic Party countered, "According to the Confirmation Hearing Act, requests for document submission can be made to state agencies or local governments, but not to individual candidates," and said, "If there are parts that have not been submitted, direct inquiries should be made to the organizations." Kim also explained, "The Constitutional Court currently holds the position that it cannot provide the materials due to issues of neutrality and independence," adding, "Investigation materials of Constitutional Court researchers are confidential by regulation, so I ask for your understanding."

During the hearing, which continued into the afternoon, the opposition is expected to focus on allegations related to Kim’s stock holdings, questions about his neutrality, and suspicions of false address registration. There will likely be heated debates over who will be the first investigation target once the Gongsoocheo is launched. While some in the ruling party view Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl as the ‘first investigation target’ of the Gongsoocheo, Kim stated last month, "I will return the Gongsoocheo’s authority to the people," and said there is no investigation target currently in mind.

Starting with Kim Jin-wook, the National Assembly will fully enter the new year’s first confirmation hearing season. On the 20th, the confirmation hearing for Han Jeong-ae, candidate for Minister of Environment, will be held, followed by the confirmation hearing for Park Beom-gye, candidate for Minister of Justice, on the 25th. In particular, the opposition plans to thoroughly scrutinize Park’s alleged failure to report land assets, suspicions of collusion with local broadcasters, and assault allegations.

Meanwhile, a new controversy has arisen over Park registering his son as the head of a household at an apartment in Daechi-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. Park explained, "In February 2006, anticipating the possibility of taking public office, my family and I moved to Seoul, but in June it was confirmed that I could not return to public office, so I went alone to Daejeon to focus on my work as a lawyer," adding, "At that time, the lease on the Daechi-dong apartment remained until February 2008, and it was necessary to maintain the address until my eldest son graduated from elementary school."

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