Im Eun-jeong: "Prosecutors Who Only Know Running for Office and Advancement Are Pathetic"

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Im Eun-jung answering at the National Police Agency audit [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Lim Eun-jung, Chief Prosecutor of Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office (46, Judicial Research and Training Institute Class 30), stated, "I find it pathetic that some prosecutors cannot think of any motivation other than 'running for office' or 'career advancement,' and this reality is bitter."

On the 21st, Chief Prosecutor Lim wrote on her Facebook, "I will take deeper root in the prosecution," expressing this sentiment.

She said, "If whistleblowers exert positive influence as beautiful souls throughout society, more beautiful souls will sprout, and our society will become an even more beautiful forest. I will take deeper root in the prosecution and become a sturdy tree, so I hope those with beautiful souls will continue to strive even harder on their respective paths as they have so far," urging.

She continued, "They say I do this to run for office. I've heard that since 2011 when my 'Doani diary' was made public," adding, "Several general and by-elections have passed, and after eight years, a fresh comment recently appeared on the internal bulletin board. It said I do this to be favored in this personnel reshuffle."

On the 21st, Lim Eun-jeong, Chief Prosecutor of Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office (age 46, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 30), said on her Facebook, "I find some prosecutors who cannot think of any motivation other than 'running for office' or 'advancement' pathetic, and this reality is bitter." Photo by Lim Eun-jeong, Chief Prosecutor of Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office Facebook

She further stated, "I only posted reasonable critical comments on the internal bulletin board hoping the prosecution would stand upright, but I was treated as a disruptive element plotting organizational discord, and many people were convinced that my 'crime' motive was an impure intention aimed at the general election," she claimed.

Earlier, in December 2017, Prosecutor Lim received the 'Lee Moon-ok Bright Society Award' given to whistleblowers. Quoting her acceptance speech at the time, she said, "When I was criticized from inside and outside the prosecution for stabbing the organization with a knife or trying to stand out alone, I found comfort by looking into history for those who steadfastly kept their conscience despite such criticism."

Finally, she said, "Many people worry about me. It would be a lie to say I’m not upset, but that’s just the life of a whistleblower."

Meanwhile, Chief Prosecutor Lim has supported government prosecution reforms and publicized internal issues within the prosecution. Because of this, there is growing interest in her future position.

The Ministry of Justice is expected to carry out personnel changes for mid-level executives on the 22nd or 23rd after the organizational reform plan is approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 21st.