Withdrawal of 'Woo Byung-woo Squad' Controversy Lawyer's Application for Public Corruption Investigation Office Deputy Chief Prosecutor

Government Gwacheon Complex High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (GongSuChe).

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Lawyer Lim Yoon-soo, who sparked controversy as part of the 'Woo Byung-woo faction' after it was revealed that he worked together with former Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Woo Byung-woo at the prosecution and the Blue House, has withdrawn his application for the position of senior prosecutor at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC).

On the 22nd, the PCC stated, "Regarding the recruitment of prosecutors for the second half of the year, the Personnel Committee recommended lawyer Lim Mo as a candidate for senior prosecutor, but he has expressed his intention to withdraw his application. The PCC respected his decision and notified the Ministry of Personnel Management of the withdrawal today."

Earlier, on the 1st, the PCC held a Personnel Committee meeting and recommended about ten new prosecutor candidates, including lawyer Lim, to President Moon Jae-in.

However, controversy arose when it was revealed that lawyer Lim, who was recommended as a candidate for senior prosecutor, was a close associate of former Senior Secretary Woo, who was identified as a key figure in the Park Geun-hye administration's 'state affairs manipulation' scandal.

Lawyer Lim is known to have worked as a branch chief and frontline prosecutor at the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office Yeongwol Branch in 2003, and in 2016, he worked alongside former Senior Secretary Woo as the Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and the Blue House Secretary for Public Service Discipline.

Additionally, when former Senior Secretary Woo was on trial for allegedly abetting the state affairs manipulation, lawyer Lim appeared in court as a witness and gave testimony favorable to Woo.

During the comprehensive audit of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held the previous day, Kim Young-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, mentioned Lim's background and demanded the withdrawal of his recommendation.