[General Election Candidates] ③ Judges and Prosecutors Heading to Yeouido... Police Officers Also Challenging for Gold Badges

'Pro-Chin Yoon Prosecutors' Mass Candidacy Movement
87 Lawyers Registered as Preliminary Candidates
Prosecutor General Urges 'Political Neutrality'

Editor's NoteWith the New Year 2024, the political landscape for the 22nd general election has officially begun. Public sentiment remains shrouded in uncertainty. Unexpected variables have emerged, such as the assault on Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Both ruling and opposition parties are rapidly moving into the candidate nomination phase. Voters are observing the nomination process to judge whether reforms will be made. They assess the 'direction' and 'figures' that parties aim for. Parties do not only innovate; sometimes they regress. Since this election is about choosing representatives for the next four years, it is crucial to scrutinize the candidates carefully. This series examines candidates by major sectors and generations: ① Presidential Office ② Bureaucrats ③ Legal Profession & Police

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Central District Prosecutors' Office (center) building. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

With less than 100 days remaining until the 22nd National Assembly election on April 10, the legal profession has been abuzz since the beginning of the new year. Regardless of party affiliation, numerous candidates from the legal sector?including prosecutors, judges, and lawyers?have declared their candidacies in a flood. Additionally, former high-ranking police officials are registering as preliminary candidates one after another.

As of the 4th, among the total 879 preliminary candidates registered with the National Election Commission for the 22nd National Assembly election, 87 are lawyers. This accounts for about 10% of the total. This figure includes pure lawyers as well as former prosecutors and judges who transitioned to lawyers. Adding potential candidates who have not yet registered and those already active in politics, the number of legal professionals is estimated to exceed 100.

Prosecutors from 'Pro-Yoon Faction' Entering Race One After Another

A notable aspect of this general election is the large number of former prosecutors connected to President Yoon Suk-yeol running for office. Key aides who closely supported President Yoon from the start of his administration, such as Lee Won-mo, former Presidential Office Personnel Secretary, and Joo Jin-woo, former Legal Secretary, are focal points of interest. Both are former prosecutors. Lee is reportedly likely to run in Seoul and the metropolitan area, while Joo is expected to run in Suyeong District, Busan.

Shim Jae-don, former head of the Special 2 Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and one year junior to President Yoon at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, has registered as a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party in the Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu Gap district of Incheon. Shim was classified as part of the 'Yoon Suk-yeol faction' after investigating the Lone Star case alongside President Yoon at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Central Investigation Department.

Choi Ki-sik, former chief prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, has also declared his candidacy while serving as chairman of the Uiwang-Gwacheon Party Committee of the People Power Party. In an interview with a media outlet, he revealed that he first met President Yoon in 2009 while working as a research prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. He was known as an expert on North Korea and unification during his prosecutorial career.

Prosecutors from Moon Administration Also Challenge the Election

Democratic Party legislative candidates with legal backgrounds. Photo by Beopryul Newspaper Company

Former and current legal professionals active during the Moon Jae-in administration are also preparing to run. Lee Sung-yoon, a research fellow at the Judicial Research and Training Institute hoping to run in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, was considered a representative 'pro-Moon (친문)' prosecutor during the Moon administration. He held key positions such as Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office.

Although he submitted his resignation last April, it has not yet been accepted, so he remains a 'current' prosecutor. However, a book launch event is scheduled for the 9th in Jeonju, effectively confirming his candidacy. Lee was indicted on charges of exerting undue influence in the investigation of former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-eui's illegal travel ban but was acquitted in the first trial. The appellate court verdict is expected later this month. Civil servants can run for office by submitting a resignation letter at least 90 days before the election.

Another current prosecutor, Shin Sung-sik, also a research fellow at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, is considering running in Suncheon, Jeonnam. Shin, classified as part of the 'Chu Mi-ae faction,' is currently undergoing a first trial related to the 'Han Dong-hoon recording misinformation' case.

After serving in key positions such as head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and chief prosecutor of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, Shin was demoted to the Judicial Research and Training Institute following the launch of the Yoon administration. He announced his resignation last month and plans to officially enter politics with a book launch event on the 10th.

People from the People Power Party with legal backgrounds running in the general election. Photo by Beopryul Newspaper Company

Legal Professionals Experienced in Yeouido Mechanisms Also Entering the Election

There are also figures who have been actively involved in Yeouido politics. Park Gyun-taek, former head of the Judicial Research and Training Institute and preliminary candidate for Gwangsan Gap, Gwangju, joined the Democratic Party of Korea around summer 2022 and served as legal special advisor to party leader Lee Jae-myung in December of the same year. He has expanded his recognition among Lee's support base and is currently considered a close aide. He served as Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice, Chief Prosecutor of the Gwangju High Prosecutors' Office, and head of the Judicial Research and Training Institute during the Moon administration.

Additionally, Yang Bu-nam, former Chief Prosecutor of the Busan High Prosecutors' Office, joined the Democratic Party and is aiming to run in Gwangju Seo-gu Eul. He currently serves as the party's legal committee chairman. During the last presidential election, he led Lee Jae-myung's legal support team, entering politics and handling various judicial risks, earning the nickname 'Lee Jae-myung's Shield.' Ahn Sung-wook, a lawyer who declared candidacy in Seongnam, served as Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission during the Moon administration. A former prosecutor, he worked as a research prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Central Investigation Department and as head of the Criminal Division 4 at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office.

Yoon Gap-geun, former first deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, head of the Violent Crime Division, and head of the Anti-Corruption Division during the Park Geun-hye administration, has registered as a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party in Cheongju Sangdang-gu. He was recently acquitted by the Supreme Court after being tried for allegations related to the Lime Fund lobbying scandal.

Kim Jin-mo, former chief prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, who plans to run in Cheongju Seowon, Chungbuk, served as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House during the Lee Myung-bak administration, where Han Dong-hoon, current emergency committee member of the People Power Party, was his senior administrative officer. He served as head of the Planning Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, chief prosecutor of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, and chief prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office during the Park Geun-hye administration. He resigned after being demoted to the Judicial Research and Training Institute during the Moon administration.

No Seung-kwon, former chief prosecutor of the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, registered as a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party in Daegu Jung-Nam districts, is also attracting attention. He served as first deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office during the Park Geun-hye impeachment period and was deputy head of the special investigation unit for the state affairs manipulation case. After the regime change, when his junior Yoon was appointed Prosecutor General in 2019, he resigned and left the prosecution. He has declared his candidacy in his hometown Daegu for the upcoming election, and it will be interesting to see how Daegu voters evaluate 'Prosecutor No Seung-kwon,' who investigated former President Park.

Controversy Over Current Prosecutors Declaring Candidacy

As the general election approaches, some 'impatient' prosecutors have announced their candidacies while still holding current positions, sparking controversy. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office recently transferred Kim Sang-min, deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and Park Dae-beom, head of the Masan branch of the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office, to different regions in what is seen as demotion transfers.

Kim had stirred controversy last Chuseok by sending a text message to residents of his hometown Changwon, stating, "I am a Changwon person to the bone. I will become someone who brings great hope and goals to the local community," implying his intention to run in the election.

At the time, he explained internally that he was 'unrelated to politics,' resulting in only a warning. However, he recently announced his resignation and officially declared his candidacy. Kim's earlier denial of political involvement was effectively false. Park is also under investigation for inappropriate contact with outsiders related to his election bid.

Former judges are also waiting for their ticket to Yeouido. Im Jae-hwa, former judge at the Daegu High Court, has registered as a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party in Daegu Dong-gu Gap.

Kwon Young-moon, former chief judge at the Busan District Court, registered as a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party in Dongnae District, Busan. He mainly served as a judge in Busan and held positions such as chief judge at the Changwon District Court and head of the Tongyeong branch of the Changwon District Court. He was active in Yoon Suk-yeol's presidential campaign team during the last election.

Legal Professionals' Head-to-Head Contests Also Draw Attention

Electoral districts where legal professionals face off are also attracting attention. According to the National Election Commission as of the 4th, seven preliminary candidates have registered in Seongnam Jungwon district, with nearly half?three?being legal professionals (lawyers). The People Power Party's Yoon Yong-geun is vying for nomination. Yoon served as a member of the Press Arbitration Commission and is a lawyer specializing in redevelopment and reconstruction issues, which are key concerns in Seongnam.

Joining the ruling party's nomination race is Shim Kyu-chul, a lawyer who served as a member of the 16th National Assembly. Shim was elected as a Grand National Party candidate in the 2000 16th general election for the Boeun, Okcheon, and Yeongdong district in Chungbuk. The Democratic Party has fielded Hyun Geun-taek, a lawyer considered a close aide to party leader Lee Jae-myung, challenging incumbent lawmaker Yoon Young-chan in the district. Hyun serves as vice president of the Democratic Research Institute and frequently appears as a panelist for the opposition on various broadcasts.

Former Police Officers Running for the General Election. Photo by Yonhap News

Police Officers Also Declare Candidacy, Many Running Outside the Capital Region

Many former police officers have also thrown their hats into the ring for this general election. Most belong to the ruling People Power Party. There are more candidates running in their hometowns outside the metropolitan area than in the capital region.

Ko Ki-cheol, former chief of the Jeju Police Agency, is running in his hometown, Seogwipo City, Jeju. Ko joined the People Power Party in September last year through talent recruitment and has been steadily building his local base since retiring in December 2022.

Kim Jong-yang, former president of Interpol, has registered as a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party in Uichang district, Changwon, Gyeongnam, his hometown. After serving as chief of the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency (currently Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency), he retired from the police uniform in 2015. From November 2018 to November 2021, he served as the first Korean president of Interpol for three years, enhancing the international stature of Korean police.

Yoon So-sik, former chief of the Daejeon Police Agency, is also running for the People Power Party in Daejeon Yuseong Gap. He retired in August last year while serving as director of the Traffic Bureau at the National Police Agency, and his entry into politics has been widely anticipated.

Similarly, Jeong Yong-geun, former director of the Traffic Bureau at the National Police Agency and former chief of the Daejeon Police Agency, registered as a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party in his hometown, Chungju, Chungbuk, after retiring in October last year. Jeong Yong-seon, former chief of the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency, who ran unsuccessfully in the 21st general election in Dangjin, Chungnam, is also making a comeback as a People Power Party preliminary candidate.

From the opposition Democratic Party, Ryu Sam-young, former chief of the Ulsan Jungbu Police Station who led the 'Senior Police Officers' meeting' opposing the establishment of the Police Bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in 2022, stands out. Although he has not yet registered as a preliminary candidate, local political circles speculate he is likely to run in Busan Jung-gu and Yeongdo-gu.

Whether Won Kyung-hwan, former chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, will make a comeback is also a matter of interest. Won ran in the 21st general election in the Gangwon Hongcheon-Hwacheon-Yeongwol-Pyeongchang district but lost. He was appointed president of the Korea Coal Corporation in 2021 but resigned last month, a year before his term ended, fueling speculation about his candidacy in this election.