DAEGU — Hong Jong-hee, the first chief of the Daegu Serious Crime Investigation Agency, said on the 6th that the agency will "establish itself as a top specialized investigative body with expert investigative capabilities and become an investigative agency that treats human rights protection as its highest value."
Hong made the remarks during a doorstepping session with reporters while arriving for the first day of work at the agency that morning, saying the agency has "a great many roles to play in this major transition of the criminal justice system, in which investigation and prosecution are being separated."
"We are hearing a great deal about shortages in various physical and human resources, but we will do our utmost, with passion and dedication, to become a trusted investigative agency that meets the expectations of the public," Hong said.
"Criticism is fine, but at this moment we need a lot of encouragement," Hong added. "If you cheer us on, we will take heart and work even harder."
Asked how investigations by the new agency should differ from those previously conducted by the prosecution, Hong, a former prosecutor, said the separation of investigation and prosecution that led to the agency's creation "does not carry any other meaning," while emphasizing specialized investigative capability and the protection of human rights.
Hong previously served as an auditor at the Korean Bar Association's Legal Aid Foundation and as deputy chief prosecutor at the Daegu and Seoul High Prosecutors' Offices.
Meanwhile, the Daegu agency launched with only 146 of its 223 authorized positions filled, leaving it 77 staff short.
With a staffing rate of 65.5%, concerns have been raised over whether the agency can properly handle serious crime investigations in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, and whether the personnel shortfall will cause delays or gaps in investigations.
