The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) Decides Not to Fill Vacancy Left by Advisory Committee Member Who Resigned Amid Dual Position Controversy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HCIA) has decided not to fill the vacancy left by Yoon Seok-hee, a non-standing member of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), who resigned from the advisory committee amid a controversy over holding concurrent positions.

According to the legal community on the 18th, the HCIA reportedly decided not to appoint an additional member following Yoon's resignation from the advisory committee. As a result, the HCIA advisory committee will operate with 14 members for the time being. The advisory committee regulations stipulate that the number of advisory members should be within 20, so there is no regulatory issue.

Initially, the HCIA appointed 15 advisory members, including former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Lee Jin-sung (65, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 10).

Although the HCIA did not disclose the list of advisory members, according to the legal community, participants included Yoon, Professor Lim Ji-bong of Sogang University Law School, former Korean Bar Association President Lee Chan-hee, and Lee Jung-seok, representative lawyer of the law firm Yulwoo.

Yoon resigned from the advisory committee on the 15th after controversy arose over violating the obligation to report in advance while concurrently serving as an HCIA advisory member.

The NHRCK requires, under Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the concurrent position prohibition rules, that when a human rights commissioner intends to take on a new position or duty after appointment, they must report it to the NHRCK in advance.

Yoon did not inform the NHRCK of the concurrent position until the day the advisory committee held its first meeting.

Meanwhile, based on the first meeting, the advisory committee plans to form subcommittees to discuss various current issues and will notify members of the convening schedule. It is expected that diverse opinions on case transfer criteria and organizational restructuring will be shared.