Prosecutors' 'Glass Ceiling' to Break...? Prospects for Advancement of 34th and 35th Generation Female Prosecutors

Prosecutors' 'Era of Women' Approaching... No Jeong-yeon, First Female Prosecutor General Candidate
Significant Increase in Female Prosecutors from 34th and 35th Classes... Many Experts in Special, Public Security, Planning, and Criminal Divisions

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The birth of a female high prosecutor (vice minister level) is entering its final countdown.

As President Yoon Seok-yeol has recently appointed women one after another to high-ranking positions such as minister and vice minister levels, a strong female wave is expected in the prosecution personnel reshuffle. The point of interest is which position and to whom the first-ever title will be awarded.

Currently, there are three female chief prosecutors: No Jeong-yeon, Chief Prosecutor of Changwon District Prosecutors' Office (Judicial Research and Training Institute class 25), Go Gyeong-sun, Chief Prosecutor of Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office (class 28), and Hong Jong-hee, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Seoul High Prosecutors' Office (class 29). There are talks that Chief Prosecutor No could be appointed as the first female high prosecutor and subsequently the first female Prosecutor General. Inogong, who was the first female deputy chief prosecutor of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (class 26), was appointed as the first female Vice Minister of Justice.

According to the legal community on the 8th, among the 603 prosecutors from classes 30 to 36 who are eligible for promotion or transfer to deputy chief or chief prosecutor positions in this mid-level personnel reshuffle, 149 are female prosecutors. The number of female prosecutors by class is distributed as follows: 12 in class 30, 11 in class 31, 14 in class 32, 15 in class 33, 27 in class 34, 36 in class 35, and 34 in class 36.

In particular, classes 34 and 35, who will be appointed as chief prosecutors and lead investigations on the front lines, are attracting attention. These classes have a significantly increased proportion of female prosecutors compared to previous classes, raising interest within the prosecution regarding their personnel appointments.

Chief Prosecutor A said, "They are executives who entered the prosecution at a time when the number of female legal professionals rapidly increased and the perception that women go to courts and men to prosecution was broken," adding, "As the proportion of women has increased, there is a high possibility of their advancement in this personnel reshuffle."

The first female prosecutors in Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office’s Violent Crimes and Public Security Divisions... 'Special Investigation Line' also stands out

Among class 34, Kim Min-a, Chief of Criminal Division 4 at Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, who was selected as a female prosecutor in the special investigations division of the Central District Prosecutors' Office for the first time in seven years in July 2012 and served as deputy chief prosecutor of Special Investigation Division 3 in 2019, and Kim Hae-gyeong, Chief of Criminal Division 5 at Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office, who was dispatched to the Sewol Ferry investigation and the special prosecutor team for the Park Geun-hye administration’s state affairs manipulation, are reported to be likely assigned to the special investigation line.

Since the opening of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Kim Yeon-sil, Chief of the Trial Division at Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, who was the first female prosecutor assigned to the Violent Crimes Division investigating organized crime and drug cases, Kwon Seong-hee, Chief of Gongju Branch of Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, and Kim Dong-hee, Director of DNA Chemical Analysis Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office who served as Director of Public Security Research at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, are expected to take on important roles in departments related to violent crimes and public security, respectively, utilizing their expertise.

Among class 35, Won Shin-hye, Chief of Criminal Division 2 at Pohang Branch of Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, who was in charge of the college entrance corruption allegations during the investigation of the 'Cho Kuk family,' is expected to be promoted. Choo Ui-jeong, Deputy Chief Prosecutor at Incheon District Prosecutors' Office (dispatched to the Korea Communications Commission), who served as a researcher at the Anti-Corruption Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office directing special investigations nationwide during President Yoon’s tenure as Prosecutor General, and Jeong Hyun, Chief of Criminal Division at Gyeongju Branch of Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, who investigated the 'Blue House-planned purge' allegations that surfaced during the re-investigation of sexual bribery allegations against former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hak-eui, are also highly likely to be appointed to key positions in this personnel reshuffle. Chief Prosecutor Jeong has extensive experience in special investigations, including working in the Special Investigation Division of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office.

Outstanding in 'Criminal and Planning' Work... Many Talents with Expertise in Sexual Crimes

Among class 34, Jo Ara, Chief of the Trial Division at Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, considered an ace, is also highly likely to be appointed to a key position. Chief Prosecutor Jo, who has excelled in planning work, was dispatched to the 'Sponsor Prosecutor' special investigation team in 2010 and has served in the Ministry of Justice’s International Legal Affairs Division and the prosecution department, earning a reputation as a planning expert within the prosecution.

Son Jeong-hyun, a professor at the Yongin branch of the Judicial Research and Training Institute with expertise in food and drug fields after being dispatched to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; Ahn Seong-hee, team leader of the Special Task Force for the Protection of Children's Rights at the Ministry of Justice and former legal advisor at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family; Jang Yoon-young, Chief of Criminal Division 3 at Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, specializing in finance and taxation; Cho Hee-young, Chief of Criminal Division 1 at Gimcheon Branch of Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, mainly experienced in criminal and trial divisions; Im Seon-hwa, Chief of Jangheung Branch of Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office; Choi Jae-a, Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office; and Hwang Bo-hyun-hee, Chief of the Trial Division at Changwon District Prosecutors' Office, are also evaluated as outstanding talents within the prosecution.

Among class 35, Kang Jeong-young, Deputy Chief Prosecutor at Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office (dispatched to the Office for Government Policy Coordination), who has earned strong trust from juniors through experience in the Financial Investigation Division of Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office and as a researcher in the Criminal Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office; Kang Seon-joo, Chief of Criminal Division at Yeoju Branch, specializing in sexual violence crimes; Jo Young-hee, Chief of Criminal Division at Gangneung Branch of Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office, recognized for excellent planning skills through experience in the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Affairs Division and prosecution department; Jeong Myeong-won, professor at the Jincheon main branch of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, certified as a Level 2 Public Prosecutor Expert 'Blue Belt' in citizen participation trials; and Kim Bo-seong, Deputy Chief Prosecutor at Busan District Prosecutors' Office (dispatched to the Ministry of Environment), who was dispatched to the investigation team that re-investigated the sexual bribery allegations against former Vice Minister Kim, are expected to be appointed to major positions.