[New Year's Address] Kim Jin-wook, Chief of the Public Corruption Investigation Office, "We Will Establish a Desirable Investigation and Prosecution Culture"

Kim Jin-wook, Chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Kim Jin-wook, Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO), expressed his determination to establish a desirable investigation and prosecution culture by creating new investigative practices that comply with due process and uphold human rights.

In his New Year's address announced on the 30th, Chief Kim stated, "The will of the people who supported the establishment of the HCIO is not merely to add another investigative agency, but to create a qualitatively different investigative body through reflective consideration of existing investigative practices," adding, "From now on, all members of the HCIO will do their utmost to establish a desirable culture of investigation and prosecution by steadily building new investigative practices that pay close attention to compliance with due process and the protection of human rights."

Chief Kim also expressed regret over the 'communication data inquiry' controversy that arose earlier this year.

He said, "In some past investigations, we were criticized for inadequately protecting the human rights of those involved in cases by uncritically following the practices of existing investigative agencies," and added, "In particular, the memory of being criticized for the communication data inquiry?which confirmed basic information of communication subscribers according to legally prescribed procedures and methods?being misconstrued as communication surveillance has become a constant reminder of the public demand to establish new investigative practices."

He continued, "The Constitutional Court ruled in July last year that communication data inquiries are lawful and recommended the establishment of a post-notification system for the subjects of such inquiries," and stated, "Since April, prior to that ruling, the HCIO has been thoroughly protecting human rights by conducting communication subscriber inquiries within the minimum necessary scope after prior review by communication data inquiry examiners."

Chief Kim said, "Since the legislative petition for the Anti-Corruption Act in 1996 until the opening of the HCIO in 2021, there have been considerable twists, turns, and controversies, but the HCIO was able to launch fueled by the public's strong desire for fearless investigations into crimes by high-ranking officials," adding, "Although it is a newly established agency less than two years old, with many shortcomings, the investigation and prosecution initiation and maintenance systems are gradually being organized and settling into place."

He expressed his aspirations, saying, "The HCIO, born in the Year of the Ox, may appear somewhat slow to the public, but if you see it as steadily working with the perseverance of an ox and pursuing the goal of justice with the tenacity of a tiger, I believe that a day will come in the near future when it will leap forward on the foundation of the people's expectations."

Chief Kim had previously emphasized several times at events such as the HCIO prosecutor appointment ceremony the attitude of hoshi-uhaeng (虎視牛行), meaning "to have the eyes of a tiger and proceed like an ox," as a commitment to his duties.

Additionally, Chief Kim stated, "All members of the HCIO will always remember the mission and duties entrusted by the people and, while adhering to political neutrality and independence in the performance of investigative duties, will work with the attitude of 'serving the people, establishing justice, and rewriting integrity' to ensure that the new HCIO system is well established within the constitutional order."