The nominee to head the powerful Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials(CIO) vowed to protect the agency's political neutrality and autonomy, while investigating corruption involving officials without anything being off-limits.

At his parliamentary confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Kim Jin-wook said as the head of the new agency, he plans to ensure that it becomes an advanced investigative body trusted by the public.

The nominee pledged to establish an investigative system that is in favor of human rights and to set an example in exercising its rights to investigate and indict.

Kim said the agency will recruit competent people with diverse experiences from different backgrounds in a fair and transparent process, and that there will be an internal system of checks and balances without a hierarchy.

The nominee said he plans to communicate with the public as the nation transitions from the prosecution holding a monopoly over investigation and indictment.