[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HCIA) has newly appointed 13 prosecutors, including 2 chief prosecutors and 11 ordinary prosecutors, and transitioned to an investigative system. However, since this only fills about 60% of the authorized personnel, it is expected that it will take some time before the first investigation begins, according to a report by Yonhap News on the 15th.
According to the report, President Moon Jae-in approved the appointment of 13 HCIA prosecutors on the 15th. The newly appointed prosecutors will officially begin their terms after the appointment ceremony on the 16th. The chief prosecutors selected were attorney Choi Seok-gyu, a former judge, and attorney Kim Seong-mun, a former chief prosecutor. Both chief prosecutors are graduates of the 29th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Chief Prosecutor Choi, a certified public accountant, is expected by the HCIA to play a role in high-ranking official cases related to corporate accounting fraud. He is currently affiliated with the law firm Dongin, where Deputy Director Yeo Woon-guk was active, and has also been associated with Kim & Chang, where HCIA Chief Kim Jin-wook worked. He stated, "I am aware of concerns that I am not from the prosecution and lack investigative experience," and added, "I will do my best with the mindset of laying a stepping stone for the early establishment of the HCIA by making the most of my experience."
Chief Prosecutor Kim served as a prosecutor for 17 years, gaining experience in criminal, foreign affairs, public security, special, and planning tasks, as well as serving as a professor at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. He is currently affiliated with the law firm Seopyeong. He said, "I will do my best to ensure that the HCIA establishes itself as an institution that aligns with its founding purpose by performing duties fairly and objectively."
Under the chief prosecutors, the ordinary prosecutors appointed include Kim Song-gyeong (40th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), Kim Su-jeong (30th class), Kim Suk-jung (1st Bar Exam), Kim Il-ro (2nd Bar Exam), Moon Hyeong-seok (36th class), Park Si-young (2nd Bar Exam), Yeo Sang-gyun (30th class), Lee Seung-gyu (37th class), Lee Jong-su (40th class), Choi Jin-hong (39th class), and Heo Yoon (1st Bar Exam), totaling 11. Among the 13 appointees approved on this day, there is 1 former judge, 4 former prosecutors, and 5 attorneys. Ten are male and three are female.
Earlier, on January 24, the HCIA announced it would recruit a total of 23 prosecutors, including 4 chief prosecutors and 19 ordinary prosecutors. The recruitment attracted more than ten times the number of applicants compared to the authorized personnel, appearing to be highly competitive. On March 7, the HCIA Personnel Committee was formed, and the candidate verification process began in earnest. The committee held two meetings to discuss candidates for chief and ordinary prosecutors. There were rumors that 19 candidates, including 2 chief prosecutors and 17 ordinary prosecutors, were recommended to the Blue House, but it is known that only 17, including 2 chief prosecutors, were actually recommended. Ultimately, 4 ordinary prosecutors were eliminated during the Blue House verification process, resulting in a total of 13 appointments.
By appointing only 13 prosecutors, fewer than the recommended number, President Moon has effectively led the HCIA with just over half (60%) of the expected personnel. The HCIA plans to discuss specific methods and timing for additional recruitment through the Personnel Committee in the future.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
