Handonghun Dismisses 'Prosecutor General Passing' Controversy as "Personnel After Appointment? It Means Not Doing the Job Properly"

Emphasizing That the Current Situation Is Not Unusual

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon dismissed the controversy over 'bypassing the Prosecutor General' regarding the prosecution personnel reshuffle carried out in the absence of a Prosecutor General, saying, "Waiting several months for the appointment of a Prosecutor General before making any personnel changes means not doing the job properly."

On the 27th, Minister Han told reporters on his way home from the Government Complex Gwacheon, "Everyone understands that there are many pending tasks in the prosecution," emphasizing this point.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "The purpose of the prosecution personnel reshuffle is to establish a system that performs well for the people," and stressed, "We need to quickly set up the system and work for the people."

He also noted, "In past regime changes and previous governments, personnel changes in the prosecution were made even when there was no Prosecutor General or Minister."

This is interpreted as emphasizing that the current situation is not unusual.

He added, "Although the Prosecutor General Candidate Recommendation Committee is not public, it has already begun organizing and the schedule is underway."

Regarding the criticism that non-specialized prosecutors are resigning ahead of mid-level personnel changes, Minister Han said, "Prosecution personnel reshuffles are not for prosecutors but for the people," and added, "I think the talk about factions or clans, like in martial arts novels, is exaggerated." He emphasized, "There will be no preferential or discriminatory treatment of any particular field in this personnel reshuffle."

On the possibility of maintaining the external open positions expanded during the Moon Jae-in administration, he said, "What is important is providing good service to the people," and added, "I believe we need to establish a system where capable people can serve the public."

Minister Han will depart on the 29th for a visit to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He plans to review the FBI's personnel verification system as a reference for operating the recently launched Personnel Information Management Unit of the Ministry of Justice.