Manila:A parliamentary committee has adopted a confirmation hearing report for Kim Ji-yong, who has been nominated to lead the newly established Serious Crime Investigation Agency (SCIA). This decision comes despite opposition from some lawmakers.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the parliamentary public administration and security committee approved the report one day after Kim's confirmation hearing. However, there has been resistance from hard-line members of the ruling Democratic Party and the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, who have raised concerns about Kim's political neutrality and qualifications for the role.

These lawmakers argue that Kim previously opposed prosecution reform and has close ties to former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Rebuilding Korea Party has officially decided to oppose Kim's appointment, fearing it might undermine efforts to reform the prosecution.

In a radio interview, presidential secretary for public relations Seong Ghi-hong stated that Kim had adequately addressed these concerns during his hearing. The SCIA, launched on October 2, is part of a broad reform of the criminal justice system, aimed at removing the power of prosecutors to conduct direct investigations, which have been criticized for being politically driven.

Kim has vowed to end the "politicization" of investigations and ensure that the agency maintains political neutrality and independence in its probes, highlighting the past conduct of politically motivated investigations by the prosecution.