Park Beom-gye, Withdraws External Recruitment for Prosecutor General Amid 'Albakgi Appointment' Controversy

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye ultimately withdrew his plan to appoint an external major disaster expert, rather than a prosecutor, as a chief prosecutor through an open recruitment process.

It appears he could no longer hold out after Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo officially expressed opposition amid suspicions that Minister Park was attempting a 'preemptive personnel appointment' near the end of his term and growing resistance within the prosecution.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Justice announced that after an emergency dinner meeting with Prosecutor General Kim the previous day, Minister Park decided to halt the new appointment process for chief prosecutors aimed at selecting experts in major disasters and labor rights.

Instead, the Ministry of Justice plans to establish an advisory body related to major disasters at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, chaired by an external expert, to handle ▲ efficient initial investigation measures ▲ discovery of substantial sentencing factors ▲ research and development of legal theories regarding new risks.

Additionally, it stated that to fundamentally enhance the prosecution's capabilities and awareness in the fields of major disasters and labor rights, it will cultivate prosecutors with high expertise and sensitivity in labor rights.

As a top priority measure, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office will conduct a special guidance period for wearing lifelines at construction sites and will strictly respond to safety accidents occurring after the guidance period if violations occur, the Ministry of Justice reported.

Previously, Minister Park had announced at a press briefing at the end of last year that he would appoint a major disaster expert as a chief prosecutor. The Ministry of Justice issued a notice on the 17th titled '2022 Prosecutor Appointment Support Guide' and accepted applications for new appointments at the chief prosecutor level until the day before.

Following this, suspicions of a 'preemptive personnel appointment' arose inside and outside the prosecution, alleging that Minister Park was conducting an external recruitment with specific individuals in mind, such as those from the Minbyun (People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy). Within the prosecution, opposition rapidly spread against appointing individuals without investigative experience to chief prosecutor positions at frontline prosecution offices.

The Blue House also conveyed its opposition to the Ministry of Justice, stating that 'promoting chief prosecutors near the end of the administration is a significant burden,' but Minister Park only retreated slightly by saying, "Appointments at the prosecutor level in the Supreme Prosecutors' Office will proceed for only one position," without changing his stance.

Recently, Prosecutor General Kim clearly communicated to the Ministry of Justice his opposition to Minister Park’s policy, citing concerns that it might violate the Prosecutors' Office Act and undermine the prosecution's political neutrality and independence.

However, Minister Park showed his determination to proceed with appointing external personnel until the afternoon of the previous day, stating, "A completely new concept and shift in awareness, and new measures are necessary."