Im Eun-jeong Holding Investigation Rights: "Finally Granted Investigation Authority... Endured Emotional Struggles Until Now"

Im Eun-jung, Inspection Policy Research Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, who was concurrently appointed as a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in the mid-level executive personnel reshuffle carried out by the Ministry of Justice on the 22nd. /Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Im Eun-jung, the Inspection Policy Research Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, who was concurrently appointed as a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office with investigative authority in the Ministry of Justice's mid-level prosecutor personnel reshuffle, expressed on the 22nd, "It feels as reassuring as having bought a pair of hiking boots."

In a post on her Facebook that day, Research Officer Im said, "As a Supreme Prosecutors' Office research officer in charge of prosecutorial work, I had no investigative authority, which caused some emotional distress. I have now been granted investigative authority with great difficulty," expressing her thoughts.

She added, "While investigative authority is very natural for other research officers, it is special and I am grateful for it. Although the path is still steep and challenging, I will keep going. Towards spring," she concluded.

Earlier, the Ministry of Justice conducted a mid-level prosecutor personnel reshuffle that day and concurrently appointed Research Officer Im to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. As a result, Im can now investigate various inspection cases at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department and initiate investigations and prosecutions as a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

It has been reported that Research Officer Im had previously told those around her that it was difficult to perform proper inspection duties due to the lack of investigative authority.

Regarding this, Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, responded on the same day at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee to People Power Party lawmaker Kim Do-eup's question, "What is the reason for Research Officer Im's concurrent appointment as a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office?" by saying, "I understand that she wishes to have investigative authority."

In the legal community, it is expected that Research Officer Im will be in charge of reinvestigating the illegal political funds case involving former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, whose statute of limitations expires on March 22.

Meanwhile, Research Officer Im has been known for her critical opinions toward Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and the prosecution. During the tenure of former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, she moved from being the chief prosecutor of the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office's Important Economic Crimes Investigation Division to a research officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in September last year.