Jinwook Kim Appoints 13 Public Officials Prosecutors... "Let's Work Diligently with Hosiuhaeng"

Jinwook Kim, Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Department (Gong-su-cheo) / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HCIA) has appointed 13 prosecutors, preparing to enter a full-fledged investigation system about three months after its launch.

On the afternoon of the 16th, HCIA held an appointment ceremony at the Government Complex Gwacheon, awarding appointment letters to two newly appointed chief prosecutors and eleven regular prosecutors, with Chief Prosecutor Choi Seok-gyu leading the oath-taking ceremony.

Kim Jin-wook, the head of HCIA who attended the oath ceremony, told the new prosecutors, "HCIA is in its infancy, with weak human and material foundations," and emphasized, "Within the given authority, let us focus solely on the people and diligently perform our duties with the attitude of 'Hosi-uhaeng' (虎視牛行, meaning to proceed steadily with the eyes of a tiger and the persistence of an ox)."

Chief Prosecutor Choi, who took the oath on behalf of others, stressed, "I will work hard to meet the expectations of the people," but refrained from commenting on questions about the 'first investigation.' Prosecutor Kim also expressed his determination by saying, "I will work hard."

Earlier, President Moon Jae-in approved the appointment of 13 prosecutors, including Chief Prosecutors Choi Seok-gyu (55, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 29) and Kim Seong-moon (54, class 29), the previous afternoon. Among the 13, there was one former judge, four former prosecutors, and five former lawyers. Ten were male, and three were female.

Chief Prosecutor Choi began his career as a certified public accountant. From 2000 to 2009, he served as a judge, and before his appointment as a prosecutor, he worked at the law firm Dongin, where Deputy Minister Yeo Woon-guk was active. He also worked at Kim & Chang, where Director Kim served. He represented Samsung Biologics employees indicted for hiding evidence related to accounting fraud and acted on behalf of the investigative prosecutors in the 'Samrye Nara Super' case damage compensation lawsuit.

Chief Prosecutor Kim worked 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. Since 2017, he has worked as a lawyer at law firms Class and Seopyeong.

The regular prosecutors who will handle practical work under the chief prosecutors include ▲Kim Song-gyeong (class 40) ▲Kim Su-jeong (class 30) ▲Kim Suk-jung (1st Bar Exam) ▲Kim Il-ro (2nd Bar Exam) ▲Moon Hyeong-seok (class 36) ▲Park Si-young (2nd Bar Exam) ▲Ye Sang-gyun (class 30) ▲Lee Seung-gyu (class 37) ▲Lee Jong-su (class 40) ▲Choi Jin-hong (class 39) ▲Heo Yoon (1st Bar Exam), totaling 11 appointees.

There were rumors that a total of 19 people, including two chief prosecutors and 17 regular prosecutors, were recommended to the Blue House, but it is known that only 17, including two chief prosecutors, were actually recommended. Ultimately, four regular prosecutors were eliminated during the Blue House's screening process, resulting in 13 appointments.

By appointing only 13 prosecutors, fewer than the recommended number, President Moon has effectively led HCIA with just over half (60%) of the expected personnel. HCIA plans to discuss specific methods and timing for additional recruitment through the personnel committee in the future.