Kim Oh-soo Confirmation Hearing... Political Bias and Legal Practice Disputes Anticipated

Optimus and Lime Cases Handled After Deputy Minister of Justice Retirement... Prosecutor General Appointment Hearing Emerges as Key Issue

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The confirmation hearing for Kim Osu, the nominee for Prosecutor General, is set to take place. Following his nomination, controversies have persisted regarding his 'political bias,' and it has now been revealed that during his time as Vice Minister of Justice and later as a lawyer, he took on cases related to the Optimus and Lime prosecution investigations. It is also known that after the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun, he posted a message on the prosecution's internal network encouraging the investigation team, which is expected to lead to further scrutiny from the ruling party.

On the 26th, the key issues in Kim's confirmation hearing conducted by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee are expected to focus on the controversy over political neutrality and the direction of prosecution supervision regarding allegations involving the ruling party.

During his tenure as Vice Minister of Justice, Kim assisted successive Ministers of Justice Park Sang-ki, Cho Kuk, and Choo Mi-ae, leading prosecution reforms. This background is why both the opposition and some within the prosecution raise concerns about Kim's 'political neutrality.'

Legal circles also foresee limitations in Kim, who supported former Ministers Cho Kuk and Choo Mi-ae, in fairly investigating power-related corruption. On this day, the opposition plans to focus on allegations of Kim's involvement in the illegal deportation case of former Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui and suggestions to exclude the 'Yoon Seok-yeol faction' from Cho Kuk's investigation team.

Regarding the ruling party's push for 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority' (검수완박, Geomsu Wanbak), Kim has indirectly expressed a negative view on the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency (중수청, Jungsucheong), but rather than outright opposition, it leans toward a call for slowing the pace, suggesting he may support the final steps of prosecution reform under the Moon Jae-in administration.

The prosecution organizational reform plan proposed by Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is also one of the main points of debate. The plan centers on limiting direct investigations by the prosecution's criminal division, and Kim's stance on this will provide insight into the organizational reforms and prosecution personnel changes expected next month.

It has also become controversial that after stepping down as Vice Minister of Justice, Kim worked as an advisory lawyer at the law firm Hwahyeon and took on multiple prosecution cases related to Optimus and Lime. Since he was Vice Minister of Justice during the Lime investigation and received reports on investigation matters, he cannot avoid allegations of preferential treatment for former officials. In December last year, besides representing Jung Young-chae, CEO of NH Investment & Securities, who sold Optimus funds causing many victims, Kim also took on two cases related to Woori Bank in the Lime case.

As he is likely to become the last Prosecutor General under the Moon Jae-in administration, sharp scrutiny from the ruling party is expected. After former President Roh Moo-hyun's death, Kim posted on the prosecution's internal network, stating, "It is regrettable that the investigation team's determination to eradicate corruption is fading." This expressed a stance contrary to the current administration, saying, "The firm will of the investigation team to eradicate corruption is ending with somewhat disappointing results."

Other issues expected to be raised include allegations of gift tax evasion and personal misconduct such as high advisory fees. While the ruling party maintains that most related allegations have been clarified, the opposition plans to intensively probe these and other questions about his qualifications.

Meanwhile, according to the Confirmation Hearing Act, Kim's confirmation hearing report must be submitted to President Moon by today. However, it is uncertain whether the hearing procedures and report adoption can be completed on the same day. If the National Assembly does not submit the report, the President can request resubmission within 10 days.

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