'Appoint Im Eun-jeong as Prosecutor General' Petition to Cheongwaedae Following Kim Oh-soo's Resignation... Who is Im Eun-jeong?

Lim Eun-jeong also targets prosecutors recently opposing 'Geomsu Wanbak'

As Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo expressed his intention to resign in protest against the 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative powers,' a petition has emerged on the Blue House's public petition platform requesting the appointment of Lim Eun-jung, the Ministry of Justice's Inspection Officer, as the new Prosecutor General.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] On the 17th, Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo submitted his resignation in protest against the Democratic Party of Korea's push for the 'Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights' (Geomsu Wanbak) bill. Meanwhile, a petition appeared on the Blue House's public petition board requesting the appointment of Im Eun-jung, the Ministry of Justice's Inspection Officer, as Prosecutor General.

On the same day, a petition titled "Please accept Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo's resignation and appoint Prosecutor Im Eun-jung as his successor" was posted on the Blue House petition board.

The petitioner stated, "Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo expressed his sudden intention to resign in opposition to the National Assembly's bill to abolish prosecutorial investigation rights," adding, "Kim expressed his apologies to the public and members of the prosecution for the conflicts and turmoil surrounding the legislative process of the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill and even asked to be impeached," beginning the petition.

They continued, "Since Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo has submitted his resignation, I petition that Prosecutor Im Eun-jung, who has been one of the few within the prosecution to align with the Moon Jae-in administration and pursue prosecutorial reform, be appointed as Prosecutor General to check the prosecution under the Yoon Seok-youl administration."

The petitioner added, "Prosecutor Im Eun-jung is from the 30th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, three classes junior to the new Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, who is from the 27th class. Considering the prosecution's emphasis on seniority, she appears to be a more suitable candidate than former Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo (20th class). I hope that you will appoint Prosecutor Im Eun-jung as Prosecutor General during her term to stop the Yoon Seok-youl administration's reckless attempt to privatize the prosecution and roll back prosecutorial reform, and to honor the wishes of the candlelight citizens who hope for prosecutorial reform."

A petition requesting the appointment of Prosecutor Lim Eun-jung as Prosecutor General. Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture

As of 8 a.m. on the 18th, the petition had gained over 7,000 supporters, surpassing the preliminary agreement threshold of 100 people. Currently, it is classified as a petition under review by administrators and is not visible in the public petition list. However, participation in the petition is still possible while under review.

Prosecutor Im Eun-jung gained national attention in 2007 for handling the Gwangju Inhwa School sexual assault case involving hearing-impaired victims, known as the "Dogani case." In 2012, she was disciplined with suspension after recommending acquittal in the retrial of the late Yoon Gil-jung, a Progressive Party secretary convicted under the Anti-Communism Law. In September of the same year, she also sought acquittal in the retrial of Pastor Park Hyung-gyu, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the Mincheonghakryun case.

Since then, she has continuously posted criticisms of the prosecution on her Facebook page, showing a confrontational stance with the prosecution leadership and gaining recognition as a "prosecutorial reform prosecutor." After the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, which pledged prosecutorial reform, she was appointed to key positions such as a research officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and Inspection Officer at the Ministry of Justice. After Yoon Seok-youl resigned as Prosecutor General, she was also considered as a candidate for the next Prosecutor General in the selection committee's review in April last year.

Recently, during the 'Geomsu Wanbak' phase, Prosecutor Im introduced cases of prosecutorial abuse of power on her Facebook page, targeting prosecutors opposing the 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill. On the 12th, she filed a request for reconsideration in protest against the Public Corruption Investigation Office's decision not to indict Yoon Seok-youl over allegations of obstruction of investigation related to former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook's perjury coaching.