[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The Prosecutor Personnel Committee convened on the 20th to discuss the mid-level prosecutor personnel appointments. Following the earlier appointments of senior prosecutors, there is intense interest in whether the mid-level prosecutors who led the practical investigations of the administration will be significantly replaced.
The Ministry of Justice held the Prosecutor Personnel Committee meeting at 2 p.m. at the Government Complex Gwacheon to review promotions and transfers of mid-level prosecutors at the level of senior prosecutors (deputy chief prosecutors and chief prosecutors).
Lee Chang-jae, the chairperson of the Prosecutor Personnel Committee and former Deputy Minister of Justice, arrived at the Ministry of Justice around 1:40 p.m. that day. Chairperson Lee stated, "Since there are many concerns, we will discuss thoroughly and deliver good opinions to the Ministry of Justice," before entering the building.
Based on the results of the Personnel Committee meeting, Minister Choo will propose the personnel plan to the President, and once the President approves it, the appointments will be implemented.
This personnel appointment is proceeding in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice's plan to reorganize its organizational structure. The Ministry of Justice plans to submit a revision of the "Regulations on the Organization of the Prosecutor's Office" to the Cabinet meeting on the 21st, which will convert 13 direct investigation departments of the prosecution into criminal and trial departments. Therefore, unlike the announcement of senior prosecutor appointments on the 8th, it is highly likely that the personnel transfer details will not be announced on the same day. Typically, when the Personnel Committee meets, the personnel results are announced in the afternoon of the same day or at the latest the following day.
Prior to the Personnel Committee meeting, the Ministry of Justice reportedly sought the opinion of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl regarding the personnel plan for deputy chief prosecutors and chief prosecutors. Prosecutor General Yoon conveyed the opinion to the Ministry of Justice to "retain all mid-level prosecutors at the department head level in the Supreme Prosecutors' Office."
The mid-level prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office also reportedly expressed between the 10th and 13th that they did not wish to be transferred. Since all senior prosecutors at the chief prosecutor level have been replaced, they conveyed the position that their retention is inevitable to ensure the stability and continuity of Prosecutor General Yoon's administration.
Since Prosecutor General Yoon conveyed the opinion to retain all mid-level prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to the Ministry of Justice, there is a possibility that this opinion will be discussed at the Personnel Committee stage. During the previous senior personnel review, the Personnel Committee unanimously rejected the appointment attempt of Ryu Hyuk, former chief prosecutor of Tongyeong Branch Office, to the chief prosecutor position.
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