On the 28th, Oh Dong-woon, who was nominated as the candidate for the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office on the 26th, expressed his ambition, stating, "I will strive to establish the Corruption Investigation Office as an independent investigative agency and make it an effective organization."
Regarding investigations into politically sensitive cases, he said, "I will conduct investigations faithfully according to the law and principles." He also indicated his intention to recommend a deputy head with investigative capabilities, specifically someone with a background as a prosecutor.
Odongwoon, the nominee for the Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency, is answering questions from reporters as he arrives for his first day at the office set up in Jungang-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of the 28th.
On the morning of the same day, Oh met with reporters on his way to his first day at the personnel hearing preparation office set up in Jungang-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, and made these remarks.
Oh said, "As I mentioned last Friday, I feel a very heavy responsibility being nominated as the candidate for the head of the Corruption Investigation Office during such a difficult time," adding, "If I become the head, I plan to work hard to establish our office as an independent investigative agency and to make it an effective organization."
When asked how he plans to proceed with politically sensitive cases currently under investigation, such as the external pressure related to the death of Chae Sang-byeong, he replied, "I have not yet received a report on that matter," and added, "In any case, I intend to conduct investigations faithfully according to the law and principles."
Regarding the same case, when asked about reports that the Presidential Office was involved in retrieving case records and whether an investigation without any sacred cows would be possible, he said, "I have only seen that through the media and have not received any reports," and responded, "I also intend to investigate that matter faithfully according to the law and principles."
When asked about his stance on the opposition party's proposal for a special investigation law on Chae Sang-byeong, he said, "I have not thought about that yet," and avoided a direct answer by stating, "I am currently only thinking about my appointment as the head of the Corruption Investigation Office, and I have not deeply considered the background or potential outcomes of what the political circles are doing."
In response to concerns about whether he can maintain the independence of investigations since he was recommended by the ruling party, Oh said, "I was recommended by the National Assembly's recommendation committee and was nominated after a long process," adding, "Regardless of whether I was recommended by the ruling party, I will faithfully perform my duties as the head of an independent investigative agency."
When asked about his previous comment that the Corruption Investigation Office had not met public expectations and what he thought was lacking, he said, "From what I have seen in the media, it seems the public feels some fatigue and lacks a sense of efficacy. If I become the head, I will work hard to invigorate the organization and establish it firmly as an independent investigative agency."
Regarding criticism that he lacks investigative experience because he is a former judge, Oh said, "It is true that I am a former judge. However, I plan to appoint a deputy head with excellent investigative abilities," and added, "Also, it is not only about conducting investigations; we must also maintain prosecutions, and since I have extensive experience in criminal trials, I will devote 100% of my abilities."
When asked about his plan for appointing the deputy head of the Corruption Investigation Office, he said, "I have not yet reviewed specific candidates, but the person must work well with me, be organizationally harmonious, and have outstanding investigative skills. I will search extensively to find such a person."
He mentioned the issue of insufficient personnel at the Corruption Investigation Office in relation to delays in investigations and expressed his willingness to seek legislative improvements through the National Assembly.
When asked about the ongoing issues of investigation delays and personnel outflow, he said, "I have studied the law somewhat, and from what I have seen in the media, it seems the organization is small and is conducting investigations with great difficulty due to limited personnel."
He continued, "Therefore, if I become the head, I would like to discuss with the National Assembly ways to improve this, and I will be a head who ensures that the current organization works as efficiently as possible."
Regarding questions about his past as a defense attorney for a minor sex offender, which has been controversial since his nomination, he said, "There was such a case when I was working as a lawyer, and in that trial, I raised many issues regarding violations of due process," but added, "If there are aspects that do not meet the public's expectations, I will take those into consideration."
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