SUWON — Kim Hyung-geun, chief of the Suwon Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, said on the 6th that the new body will move to fill any shortcomings so that no gaps emerge in corruption investigations.
Kim made the remarks during a doorstep question-and-answer session at 8:50 a.m. in the lobby of the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation building, acknowledging that "there may be areas that fall short in the early stage after the launch."
"I have personally reviewed the situation since the agency opened over the past several days," he said. "I confirmed that the investigative will and enthusiasm of our members is higher than expected."
On the agency's role, Kim said it would "overcome the limitations of existing investigative bodies."
"We will inherit the accumulated investigative capability and experience and develop it further," he said. "We will establish ourselves as the nation's best specialized investigative institution, trusted by the public."
He identified personnel assignments as the first task in running the organization.
"There are currently vacant positions," Kim said. "We intend to complete staff assignments within today."
On how the agency's roster compares with its authorized headcount, he said about 60% of authorized positions have been filled and that gaps are emerging as a result.
"For now, we have made assignments on an acting-capacity basis," he said. "For the remaining staff, we will review what needs to be supplemented, taking into account expertise and personal preferences."
"We plan to complete the personnel appointments within today so that work can proceed normally starting tomorrow," he added.
He also addressed questions over political neutrality.
Asked about concerns of investigative bias stemming from his background as an assistant special prosecutor, Kim said he had "conducted investigations at the prosecution service for about 20 years and also served on the special counsel team investigating Kim Keon-hee."
"I have always approached my work knowing that maintaining political neutrality is the most important standard in an investigation," he said. "That will not change going forward."
He was cautious about the agency's first investigation target.
"Nothing has been decided yet on which case we will investigate first," Kim said. "We will decide carefully after reviewing the scope of investigation under the law, the specific allegations and the progress of investigations."
On concerns about a reduction in narcotics investigation personnel, he said numbers "may have decreased somewhat."
However, he said a substantial portion of the personnel had been transferred intact to the new agency, adding that he had "received a report that there is unlikely to be any particular disruption to investigations."
"The Suwon agency has already been given the function of responding to drug crimes," he said. "We will concentrate all our capabilities so that there is not the slightest disruption to drug crime investigations."
On what distinguishes the agency from the prosecution service, he pointed to the separation of investigation and prosecution.
"I believe the side effects that could arise from conducting investigation and prosecution together can be overcome through the separation of investigation and indictment," Kim said.
He added that the agency would "overcome the problems of existing investigative bodies and become an institution trusted by the public in a more advanced form."
On a past drinking-related incident, he said, "Whatever the circumstances, I feel ashamed about it."
Regarding the time he had to prepare for the post, Kim said the open recruitment process was conducted about a week before his appointment. "I applied before the holiday, and received the appointment on Friday afternoon," he said.
