A former judge who has been tapped by the president to be the first chief of the powerful Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials(CIO) says he is well aware of expectations and concerns over the agency’s planned launch. 

Kim Jin-wook made the remarks in a written statement delivered to reporters on Wednesday after President Moon Jae-in nominated him for the position. Kim was chosen over Civil Rights Commission Vice Chairman Lee Geon-lee. 

The CIO is among Moon's key presidential campaign pledges aimed at reforming so-called institutions of power, including the state prosecution.

Kim, a former judge who has worked as a senior researcher at the Constitutional Court, also said he will do his best to prepare for a National Assembly confirmation hearing in spite of his shortcomings.

The new agency is expected to be launched as early as next month if he is formerly appointed following the parliamentary confirmation hearing. 

The ruling Democratic Party welcomed his nomination and voiced hopes that the former judge will remain politically neutral in pursuing major investigations. But the main opposition People Power Party claimed he will be another “puppet” of the Moon administration.