All Leadership of Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Replaced... Internal 'Confusion' in the Prosecution

Yoon Confirmation Hearing Preparation Team Leader Kim Chang-jin, 'Demotion-like Promotion'
Prosecutor General's Staff Overhauled with 4 Months Left in Term
Chief Prosecutor Lee Won-seok "Will Not Comment on Personnel Matters"

The sudden reshuffle of senior prosecutors has left the prosecution office internally bewildered. Just 11 days after Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok instructed a swift investigation into the allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Geon-hee, the entire command line of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which is handling the investigation, was replaced, causing confusion.

On the 14th, the prosecution office was sensing a chaotic atmosphere following the high-level personnel reshuffle carried out the previous day. Amid numerous cases requiring urgent conclusion, including the allegations related to the First Lady and the Democratic Party presidential election cash envelope scandal, a surprise promotion and transfer of senior prosecutors at the level of chief prosecutors or higher was announced 4 to 5 months earlier than the regular personnel schedule.

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok responded to reporters' questions about greetings on his way to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 14th by saying, "This is not something I can comment on." Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

Prosecutor A said, "I had heard that there would be a personnel reshuffle soon, but it was shocking that it happened so abruptly," adding, "There will be follow-up personnel changes due to the promotions, so it’s quite hectic."

In this reshuffle, Song Kyung-ho, the chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, was appointed as the chief prosecutor of the Busan High Prosecutors' Office, and the first to fourth deputy chief prosecutors of the Central District Prosecutors' Office were all promoted to chief prosecutors, completely replacing the command line. Except for Deputy Chief Prosecutor Ko Hyung-gon of the 4th division, the first to third deputy chief prosecutors were appointed in the personnel reshuffle last September and had not yet completed a year in their positions, leading to much speculation about the timing of the reshuffle. However, since all first to fourth deputy chief prosecutors were recognized within the organization as strong candidates for promotion to chief prosecutor, there appears to be little dissatisfaction.

Attorney B, a former chief prosecutor, commented, "Looking at the personnel lineup, capable people were promoted to chief prosecutors," adding, "There don’t seem to be prosecutors complaining about this, but the timing is odd. When the Prosecutor General orders a swift investigation and shortly after replaces the entire command team, it inevitably suggests a personnel move with multiple implications."

In particular, the prevailing interpretation is that this reshuffle reflects President Yoon Seok-yeol’s dissatisfaction or distrust toward the current investigation team handling the First Lady Kim’s case. Kim Chang-jin, the first deputy chief prosecutor of the Central District Prosecutors' Office who led the investigation into the luxury handbag bribery allegations involving the First Lady, was reassigned as the head of the Planning Department at the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Ko, who led the investigation into the Deutsche Motors-related allegations, was moved to the position of deputy chief prosecutor at the Suwon High Prosecutors' Office. Although they were promoted to chief prosecutors on the surface, since these positions do not directly involve investigation duties, there is an interpretation that these are ‘demotion promotions.’

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim was a figure who enjoyed President Yoon’s full trust, having served as the head of the personal affairs team in the confirmation hearing preparation group when Yoon was nominated as Prosecutor General. Since the personal affairs team mainly reviews the candidate’s assets and personal background, Kim would have had detailed knowledge of risks related to the First Lady. Within the prosecution, there is analysis that the Presidential Office felt burdened by this background and thus excluded Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim from the investigation line.

Additionally, with a major overhaul of the senior staff supporting Prosecutor General Lee, who has about four months left in his term, there is an interpretation that the Presidential Office is attempting to weaken the Prosecutor General’s influence. It is indeed unusual to replace the chief prosecutor’s aides near the end of the term. Although negotiations regarding personnel matters took place between Prosecutor General Lee and the Ministry of Justice over the weekend, it is widely believed that Lee’s opinions were not significantly reflected.

Due to the many rumors surrounding this personnel reshuffle, the newly appointed chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Lee Chang-soo, must begin his term under considerable pressure. Although Lee is not a specialist in special investigations, he is recognized for his planning and investigative abilities, having worked in the Ministry of Justice’s prosecution department where only top prosecutors serve. However, while Lee is classified as pro-Yoon since he served as the spokesperson for the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office when Yoon was Prosecutor General, the consensus within the prosecution is that he cannot be considered part of the Yoon Seok-yeol faction.

With the investigative command lines at the Central District Prosecutors' Office and other major district prosecutors’ offices now vacant, it is expected that mid-level personnel appointments to fill the gaps will be made soon.

Meanwhile, on the morning of the same day, Prosecutor General Lee responded to reporters’ questions about whether he had sufficient prior consultation regarding the personnel reshuffle carried out the previous day by saying, "Regarding the chief prosecutor appointments made yesterday, I will not comment further." Addressing concerns that the investigation into the First Lady might be hindered, he emphasized, "Regardless of which chief prosecutor comes, the investigation team and I will work together to conduct the investigation strictly based on evidence and legal principles without any other considerations," adding, "I trust the prosecutors and the investigation team. Personnel matters are personnel matters, and investigations are investigations."

He continued, "As Prosecutor General and a public official, I will fulfill the duties and responsibilities assigned to me, nothing more, nothing less," firmly dismissing any possibility of voluntary resignation by stating, "I will carry out the responsibilities and mission entrusted to me as Prosecutor General."