Ministry of Justice Conducts Historic Personnel Changes with 662 Prosecutors... Notable Replacement of Key Investigation Team Leaders

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] A large-scale personnel reshuffle involving over 660 prosecutors, including those at the senior prosecutor level and general prosecutors, has been carried out. This is the largest reshuffle in history, coinciding with the prosecution system reform, with many key investigation team leaders who had been handling investigations targeting the administration being replaced.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Justice announced new appointments and transfers for 662 prosecutors, including 652 senior prosecutors and 10 general prosecutors.

The most notable aspect is the replacement of investigation team leaders who had been in charge of major power-related cases. Byun Pil-geon, head of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, who had been investigating the Blue House planned inspection allegations, will move to the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office as the Human Rights Protection Officer. Lee Jeong-seop, head of the Criminal Division 3 at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, who had been investigating the illegal departure ban case involving former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, will transfer to the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office as head of the Criminal Division 2. Lee Sang-hyun, head of the Criminal Division 5 at the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, who investigated the Wolseong nuclear power plant case, will also move to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office as head of the Criminal Division 3.

Ko Hyung-gon, chief prosecutor who investigated the case of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and then moved to the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office Anti-Corruption Investigation Division, has been appointed as head of the Pohang Branch Office. Kang Baek-shin, who was assigned to the Tongyeong Branch Office, has been transferred to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office as head of the Trial Division.

On the other hand, those classified as pro-administration or aides of Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye have been moved to key positions. Im Eun-jung, Inspection Research Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, has been appointed as the Inspection Officer at the Ministry of Justice, and Kim Tae-hoon, head of the Ministry of Justice's Prosecution Division, has been promoted to the 4th Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

A Ministry of Justice official stated, "In this personnel reshuffle, above all, we focused on balancing prosecution reform and organizational stability, and through a comprehensive 'forward (前進) personnel reshuffle,' we aimed to renew and invigorate the prosecution organization."