[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 18th, President Moon Jae-in rejected the resignation of Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo and held a meeting with him. This appears to be an effort to prevent a clash between Kim, who resigned in opposition to the 'complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak),' and the Democratic Party of Korea, which is pushing for Geomsu Wanbak.
Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, announced in a briefing that President Moon decided to meet with Prosecutor General Kim on the same day.
A senior Blue House official explained the reason for President Moon's decision, saying, "Because the Prosecutor General, whose term is guaranteed, submitted his resignation," and "As the head of the executive branch, the President is holding the meeting to hear the Prosecutor General's opinion." However, the official emphasized that the stance on the Geomsu Wanbak bill itself remains unchanged, stating it is ultimately 'the National Assembly's time.'
Despite no change in the position on Geomsu Wanbak, President Moon's acceptance of Kim's meeting request is interpreted as an attempt to put a brake on the escalating conflict between the Democratic Party and the prosecution.
There also seems to be some concern about the 'responsibility theory' circulating that Kim's resignation was due to President Moon's refusal to meet him. A senior official stressed, "Some media reported that the meeting was refused, but the Blue House has never rejected it."
Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye made remarks on his way to work that morning indicating he would keep the resignation letter without submitting it to the Blue House, but it is known that he gave a verbal report. A senior official said, "We received a verbal report from the Minister of Justice that the Prosecutor General submitted his resignation, and the President expressed his intention to reject it."
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