Cheong, Adjusts Pace of Prosecution Reform... Focuses First on Vaccination and 4th Round Support

The Inside Story of Cheong Shin Hyun-soo's Persuasion to Return as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs... Key Political Keywords Shift from Prosecution to Livelihood and Political Framing

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Jeon Jin-young] The return of Shin Hyun-soo, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, to his duties is interpreted as a result reflecting the ruling party's current favor for a shift in the political frame.

There is also a sense of crisis that if this issue escalates further, pressing livelihood issues such as the start of COVID-19 vaccination and the distribution of disaster relief funds could be overshadowed. Additionally, it is analyzed that the prosecution reform work is expected to regain momentum after Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's retirement in July, allowing for achievements within the president's term.

According to the Blue House and the ruling party on the 23rd, the personnel reshuffle of mid-level prosecutors in the Ministry of Justice, reflecting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's demands, which took place on the 22nd when Senior Secretary Shin returned to duty by entrusting his position to President Moon Jae-in, is unlikely to be a coincidence. The immediate detection of moves within the Democratic Party of Korea to slow down prosecution reform is also in the same context.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The scene of Senior Secretary Shin refusing to withdraw his resignation and leaving the Blue House is the scenario the ruling party has most feared. This is because it could halt the Blue House's plan to steer the political focus toward 'livelihood' based on COVID-19 vaccination and the expansion of emergency disaster relief payments.

With the election whirlwind inevitably hitting the political landscape, coinciding with the schedule for selecting Seoul and Busan mayoral candidates from both ruling and opposition parties, this could become a major setback for the ruling party.

What deserves attention is the movement within the Democratic Party. After Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye hinted at 'slowing down prosecution reform' as a message from the president on the 22nd, internal party movements accelerated.

At the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister Park said, "(President Moon) mentioned that the investigative authority reform implemented this year should be settled, and secondly, that the capacity for crime investigation and anti-corruption investigative capabilities should not be weakened." The fact that Minister Park disclosed this as a message from President Moon is being interpreted as a signal for adjusting the pace.

This shift in sentiment is also detected in the activities of the Special Committee on Prosecution Reform. A ruling party lawmaker participating in the committee said, "The main goal is to separate investigation and prosecution," but added, "It feels like the reform is being somewhat 'toned down,' with implementation timing delayed compared to the original plan."

Professor Seobo Hak (third from the left), from Kyung Hee University Law School, is attending and speaking at the legislative public hearing for the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency to completely separate investigation and prosecution, held on the 23rd at the Irum Center in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

However, it is unreasonable to conclude that the ruling party's shift in sentiment represents a fundamental change in the government's prosecution reform policy due to the unexpected variable of the 'Shin Hyun-soo incident.' There is a possibility that after extinguishing the urgent fires of COVID-19 control and livelihood economic recovery, the sentiment may shift again. Also noteworthy is the possibility that Senior Secretary Shin's return could lead to an 'awkward coexistence.'

Although no discord was exposed in this mid-level prosecution personnel reshuffle, the embers of conflict have not been completely extinguished. The upcoming selection process for the next Prosecutor General in July and subsequent reshuffling of senior prosecution positions could raise tensions again. The establishment of a new investigative agency to transfer the remaining six major crime investigation authorities from the prosecution remains a live issue.

A variable is that Senior Secretary Shin, through this controversy over his position, has gained the image of an 'internal check' within the Blue House, regardless of his own will. His words and actions during prosecution personnel or organizational restructuring processes will naturally attract attention.

If an image forms within the Blue House that Senior Secretary Shin's candid criticism is not being heeded, it could translate into a political burden for the ruling party. This is why Shin's return to duty could act as a double-edged sword for the ruling party.