Kim Jin-wook "Will refer to the transfer of Kim Hak-ui case"... Seems to consider more on the composition of the Personnel Committee

Director Kim: "Consultation Will Come Soon... Nothing Specific Yet"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Kim Jin-wook, head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC), stated regarding the illegal travel ban case of Kim Hak-ui, "According to the regulations, it must be transferred." Regarding the deadline for recommending personnel committee members, he said, "It would be better to hold the personnel committee before the prosecutor interviews to set the principles," indicating that he would wait for the People Power Party's intention.

On the morning of the 2nd at the Government Complex Gwacheon, Kim said in response to Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon's demand that the Kim Hak-ui case be transferred to the HCIC, "I will take it into consideration."

When asked whether he had consulted with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office about the case transfer, he replied, "There has been no concrete matter yet," adding, "Since Prosecutor Lee said so, I believe there will be consultations from the prosecution soon." However, regarding Prosecutor Lee's interpretation of Article 25, Paragraph 2 of the HCIC Act's 'discovery of criminal suspicion' as 'when the investigation matter is considerably specific,' Kim drew a line by saying, "That is his interpretation."

Regarding the recommendation of personnel committee members, he said, "I am still considering whether to give a little more time." It is known that internally, they agreed to wait for the People Power Party's position on the recommendation of personnel committee members until the afternoon of the day. Although it is not impossible to form the personnel committee without the recommended members, since Kim mentioned that "it is right to honor the spirit of the agreement that both ruling and opposition parties recommend two members each," it is interpreted that he intends to review the People Power Party's willingness to recommend personnel committee members once again.

The problem is that there is not enough time for personnel composition. It is necessary to complete the formation of the personnel committee and discuss the selection criteria before the prosecutor interviews, but the interviews will start as early as next week. For the recruitment of 25 HCIC prosecutors, after the interviews, the personnel committee's deliberation and recommendation must be followed by the presidential appointment process.

Because of this, if the People Power Party does not show willingness to form the personnel committee, there is a possibility that Kim will form the committee without opposition party recommendations. Kim has also stated that independent operation cannot be ruled out, so a decision to complete the selection of prosecutors and investigators as planned is expected soon.

The HCIC plans to complete not only personnel composition but also the establishment of rules for cases, affairs, and public relations within this month. It is expected that investigations of the first cases will be possible from April. Since its launch, a total of 371 cases have been received as of the 26th of last month, of which six cases with imminent statute of limitations were transferred to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

According to the HCIC Act, the head of the HCIC may transfer cases to other agencies if it is deemed appropriate considering the suspect, victim, content, and scale of the case. Currently, the HCIC has only two prosecutors, including Kim and Deputy Director Yeo Woon-guk, and ten investigators dispatched from the prosecution handling case acceptance and transfer duties.

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