Lee Jeong-su, Head of Central District Prosecutors' Office, Resignation Letter: "A Beautiful Farewell Fulfilling Responsibility Is Needed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the morning of the 17th, Lee Jung-soo, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, posted on the internal prosecution network 'Epros' that "I have devoted all my efforts to fulfilling the given duties and roles," and added, "I feel sorry to all members of the prosecution, but it seems that a beautiful farewell with responsibility is needed at this time."

Chief Prosecutor Lee said, "I am now preparing to conclude my public service," and expressed, "I sincerely thank everyone for the many considerations and help I have received. I convey my gratitude to all those who have shared hardships and joys with me."

He continued, "The more difficult the prosecution situation becomes, the more I sincerely ask all of us to put effort into communication and harmony," and added, "I will not forget the passionate days we gave our best together."

According to the legal community, Chief Prosecutor Lee recently submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Justice. After passing the 36th Judicial Examination in 1994, he completed the Judicial Research and Training Institute, served as a military legal officer, and was appointed as a prosecutor at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office in 2000. Since then, he worked as a researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, chief of the Uiseong branch of the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, head of the Victim Rights Division and Information and Communications Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and chief of the Advanced Crime Investigation Division 2 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

In 2020, during the tenure of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, he was promoted to chief prosecutor and served as head of the Planning and Coordination Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. After serving as chief prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, he was promoted to Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice, known as one of the 'Big 4' within the prosecution, shortly after Park Beom-gye, an alumnus of Seoul Namgang High School, took office as Minister of Justice. Four months later, in June of last year, he was appointed chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, another key position among the 'Big 4' within the prosecution.

While serving as chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, he investigated cases related to President Yoon Seok-youl's family corruption, including suspicions of stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, as well as the Daejang-dong development and lobbying preferential treatment allegations. He was also criticized for delaying the handling of the 'Channel A case' involving Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, but in early last month, after more than two years since the investigation began, he dismissed the charges.

Recently, during the National Assembly's process of passing the 'Complete Removal of Prosecution Investigation Rights' (검수완박) bill, he voluntarily held a press conference and expressed strong opposition, saying he was "grasping at straws."