Jinwook Kim: "I am confident that time is on our side"... First Advisory Committee Meeting of the Corruption Investigation Office Held

Kim Jin-wook, the Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency, is answering questions from reporters as he arrives at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the morning of the 31st of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Kim Jin-wook, head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gong-su-cheo), stated on the 12th, "Although it may take some time going forward, I am confident that time is on our side."

Kim made this remark during his opening address at the first advisory committee meeting of Gong-su-cheo held at the Government Complex Gwacheon from 3 p.m. that day.

Recently, despite more than ten times the number of applicants compared to the planned number of Gong-su-cheo prosecutors, the office selected fewer successful candidates than the quota, leading to speculation that investigating the 'first case' in April would be difficult. Kim's statement appears to acknowledge this current situation.

Kim stated, "Since our office was launched on January 21 based on the public's desire to eradicate corruption among high-ranking officials and reform the prosecution, we have been striving to establish the human, material, and normative foundations of Gong-su-cheo."

He added, "On the human resources front, after the personnel committee was formed through bipartisan agreement, the recruitment process for investigative prosecutors is underway, with appointments imminent, and the recruitment process for investigators is also in progress."

He continued, "Regarding material and normative aspects, we are currently working on supplementing and modifying the physical facilities of the current office building, which was hastily prepared to coincide with the enforcement of the Gong-su-cheo Act in mid-July last year, as well as revising drafts of various regulations such as case handling rules."

Kim explained, "This advisory committee was convened to gather the esteemed members' scholarly insights and wisdom on the upcoming investigations, prosecution initiation and maintenance, case publicity, and other activities of Gong-su-cheo before our office begins full-scale operations."

He added, "Even after our office commences full operations, we intend to continuously seek the members' foresight and advice to establish ourselves as an advanced investigative agency trusted by the public. I ask for the members' ongoing interest and affection so that we can wisely overcome the current challenges and become an investigative body that meets the public's expectations."

At the first meeting, former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Lee Jin-sung will be appointed as the inaugural advisory committee chairman, and appointment letters will be presented to the advisory committee members.

The advisory committee may deliberate on ▲ matters related to the enactment, revision, and abolition of laws and regulations under Gong-su-cheo's jurisdiction ▲ directions for Gong-su-cheo's operation, status, and functions ▲ mid- to long-term development plans for Gong-su-cheo ▲ and matters requested by the head of the office.