Seoul, Dec 7 (NationPress) South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has officially put forward the name of prominent human rights lawyer Kim Ho-cheol for the position of chief of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), as announced by the presidential office on Sunday.

Kim, who is affiliated with the law firm KlassHankyul, has held significant roles, including chairman of the Korean National Police Commission and co-representative of the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements, a major environmental civic organization, according to a report from Yonhap News Agency.

Additionally, Kim has been president of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, a progressive lawyers' group, and participated in investigations into the suspicious deaths of soldiers.

In a briefing, Lee Kyu-yeon, the presidential secretary for public relations and communication, stated, "Kim is a distinguished human rights lawyer who has been pivotal in protecting public interests and social values."

"We believe he is the ideal candidate to normalize the BAI's leadership role and restore its core values of political neutrality, independence, and public trust," Lee further added.

Kim will undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing, with the date yet to be determined. His nomination is contingent on parliamentary approval.

Former BAI chief Choe Jae-hae stepped down last month after fulfilling his four-year term. He had previously faced an impeachment motion last December but retained his position after the Constitutional Court dismissed the case.

The BAI has recently found itself at the center of political controversies, with critics asserting that the agency has been utilized for politically driven audits under prior administrations.

Just last week, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials conducted a raid on the BAI concerning a controversial audit from former President Yoon Suk Yeol's time in office.

In early November, Lee Jae Myung called for the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to fulfill its original responsibilities, expressing concern over the agency's previous political misuse, as reported by the presidential office.

During his inaugural visit to the NIS since taking office in June, Lee emphasized the importance of the agency. "I believe intelligence operations profoundly influence our nation's governance," he remarked, hoping for a future where the NIS is respected and operates faithfully.