[Seocho-dong Legal Talk] Prosecution's Aces Are Leaving

Millennial Prosecutors Leaving the Prosecutor's Office
Impact of the Corruption Investigation Office and Investigation Authority Adjustments
Resignation Rush Among Training Institute Class 39 and Below
30s Early to Mid-Level Prosecutors Active in the Field
Personnel Losses Including Lee Hyemi and Jeong Gwangbyeong

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] A prosecutor in his forties is contemplating resignation ahead of the upcoming prosecution personnel reshuffle scheduled for the 25th.

He has heard that some colleagues have already left and many more are expected to follow soon. The lofty ambitions he held upon entering the Judicial Research and Training Institute have faded into distant memories in the face of reality. The adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, along with the launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office, has caused the prosecution organization to become more fragmented and unstable than before. Once the upcoming election concludes and a new president is elected, the prosecution landscape will be drastically reshuffled again. It is uncertain whether he will be able to secure his position then. Prosecutor A is expected to make his decision about his future today or tomorrow. It is reported that many prosecutors inside the prosecution share similar circumstances. They are so-called 'M Generation prosecutors'?the M generation within the MZ generation. Born from the early 1980s to the early 2000s, they are ordinary prosecutors in their early 40s to mid-30s. They belong to the 39th Judicial Research and Training Institute class or below.

Every time there is a prosecution personnel reshuffle, mass resignations of prosecutors are an annual event. This time, it is expected that many M Generation prosecutors will leave in succession, raising concerns within some circles of the legal community.

The 39th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute is expected to be promoted to deputy chief prosecutor in about three years at the earliest. They are the most active prosecutors working in the field. Above all, they are highly regarded for their investigative skills. This class entered the institute in 2008 with a record-high 1,001 members. This was because, following the confirmation of the introduction of law schools (Law School) the next year, those who passed the bar exam entered the institute immediately without any grace or break period. The competition was intense, and the investigative skills they developed during this process were naturally excellent. The 40th and 41st classes, who mainly communicated and learned know-how from them, are also said to be highly talented.

Prosecutor Lee Hye-mi of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office (39th class), who posted her resignation on the prosecution’s internal network ‘Epros’ on the 14th, is also from the 39th class. Her investigative skills are well recognized. Her impressive list of awards confirms this immediately. She received the Prosecutor General’s Commendation (Meritorious Service in Criminal Affairs) in 2016, the Deputy Prime Minister’s Commendation (National Economic Development) in 2018, the Minister of Justice’s Commendation (Legal System Improvement) in 2019, and last year, the Korean Bar Association selected her as an outstanding investigative prosecutor. Prosecutor Jeong Gwang-byeong of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (42 years old, 40th class), who recently resigned, was also recognized for his skills with the Minister of Justice’s Commendation (Meritorious Service in Prosecution) in 2018.

Their resignations are tantamount to a ‘loss of manpower’ from the prosecution’s perspective. Talented individuals are assets to the prosecution. They are the driving force leading important investigations and can become future leaders who enhance the prosecution’s functions and values. However, such individuals continue to decrease with every personnel reshuffle.

A legal community official lamented, "Everyone has seen how the demotion and resignation of prosecutors from special investigation units have caused many gaps in major investigations like the Daejang-dong case," adding, "It is regrettable that the Ministry of Justice, which carries out the personnel reshuffles, seems indifferent to losing such talent." How many more talents will leave the prosecution? The Ministry of Justice will announce the prosecution personnel reshuffle on the 25th, with appointments effective from the 7th of next month.