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[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Amid criticism over the appointment of senior prosecutors such as high-ranking prosecutors and chief prosecutors bypassing the Prosecutor General, there are also evaluations that the personnel reshuffle has moved away from the practice of favoring 'special investigation' prosecutors. However, it seems difficult to avoid criticism that Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon has promoted many of his close aides to chief prosecutor positions.

In this personnel reshuffle, Shin Bong-soo, a prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office (29th Judicial Research and Training Institute class), who was appointed head of the Anti-Corruption and Violence Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office overseeing special investigations, and Shin Eung-seok, a prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office (28th class) appointed as chief prosecutor of the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office, are representative figures classified as part of the 'Yoon Seok-yeol faction.' Also, Hwang Byung-joo, head of the Joint Investigation Team for Overseas Illegal Assets Recovery (29th class), appointed as head of the Criminal Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and Jung Young-hak, deputy chief prosecutor of the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office (29th class), are considered Minister Han's closest aides.

On the 24th, voices of dissatisfaction emerged within the prosecution, saying that Minister Han inserted his people into key positions while the Prosecutor General post remains vacant. Such criticism is expected to be difficult to dispel unless the next Prosecutor General, who has closely communicated with Minister Han on current issues and prosecutorial personnel matters since his inauguration, is appointed.

The Ministry of Justice stated regarding this personnel reshuffle, "We faithfully reflected opinions through substantive consultations with the acting Prosecutor General more than ever before and implemented the process with maximum respect for procedures, including deliberations by the Prosecutorial Personnel Committee."

However, evaluations within the prosecution of those appointed as heads of divisions (chief prosecutors) at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, who serve as aides to the Prosecutor General, are positive. Therefore, the prevailing analysis is that even if the next Prosecutor General, who was not involved in this personnel reshuffle, takes office, there will be little difficulty in coordinating with these aides. There is also an interpretation that this personnel reshuffle differs from past ones that filled all Supreme Prosecutors' Office division heads with special investigation prosecutors.

Shin Bong-soo, the newly appointed head of the Anti-Corruption and Violence Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, is a leading special investigation expert within the prosecution, having served as head of the Advanced Crime Investigation Division 1 and Special Investigation Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, as well as deputy chief prosecutor. Hwang Byung-joo, the newly appointed head of the Criminal Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, is evaluated as proficient in investigation and planning, having served as head of the Advanced Crime Investigation Division 2 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, a researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and a section chief at the Ministry of Justice.

Additionally, Song Kang, deputy chief prosecutor of the Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office (29th class), appointed as head of the Planning and Coordination Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, is a seasoned public security expert with extensive experience in planning-heavy public security departments. Jung Jin-woo, appointed head of the Forensic Science Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and first deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (29th class), has proven his capabilities through various roles, including the Central Investigation Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, deputy chief prosecutor of the Public Security Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, section chief at the Ministry of Justice, and director of the Financial Intelligence Unit's Review and Analysis Office. Kim Sun-hwa, appointed head of the Trial and Litigation Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and deputy chief prosecutor of the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office (30th class), is an expert in the trial field and recently worked closely with Lee Won-seok, acting Prosecutor General (deputy chief prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office) and former chief prosecutor of the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office.

Inside and outside the prosecution, there is a reaction that the appointments of the heads of divisions at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, who assist the Prosecutor General, show signs of sufficient consultation with the acting Prosecutor General. A chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said, "It seems that the personnel appointed by the minister and those appointed by the acting Prosecutor General are evenly included," adding, "No matter who becomes the Prosecutor General, it seems unlikely that the abilities of the aides will be questioned."