President Lee Jae Myung nominated former senior prosecutor Choi Kil-su to serve as special inspector and investigate corruption allegations involving the president’s family and senior aides. The post, created in 2014, had been vacant since 2016. Choi still needs a National Assembly confirmation hearing, and critics have already raised concerns about possible lax oversight.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung announces the appointment of Choi Kil-su, a former senior prosecutor, as the special inspector in charge of overseeing and investigating allegations of corruption against the president's family and key aides, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
Filling a void that has persisted for nearly 10 years, President Lee Jae Myung nominated former senior prosecutor Choi Kil-su to take charge of conducting investigations into corruption allegations involving the president's family and senior aides.
The appointment of a special inspector is a welcome move. The post, established in 2014, has been vacant since 2016.
Choi will have to undergo a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. The hope is that the post brings a sense of vigilance that inspires people close to the president to self-regulate their behavior, prompting the highest people in the land to rethink any unethical conduct before they are compromised. A special inspector can investigate allegations of misconduct, including requests for personnel appointments, suspected embezzlement and illegal gifts.
