Suspended Central District Prosecutor Lee Chang-su: "Will Explain Unfairness to Constitutional Court, Return Soon"

"Please ensure no disruptions to investigation and trial," a request left behind

On the 5th, Lee Chang-su, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, left the prosecution office after urging for uninterrupted work following the passage of the impeachment motion at the National Assembly.

Chief Prosecutor Lee made these remarks during a 30-minute tea time at around 1:30 PM on the same day, attended by all deputy and senior prosecutors after the impeachment motion was passed. He said, "I feel heavy-hearted as I seem to be leaving a heavy burden on the junior prosecutors in this serious situation," and added, "I hope everyone fulfills their roles well so that investigations and trials proceed without disruption even under the acting duty system."

He also said, "In the acting duty system without a leadership team, the role of senior prosecutors is more important than anything else. I hope they act as an umbrella so that the juniors can work freely." He further stated, "If we handle each case according to standards without compromise, we can regain trust. I will explain and respond well to the Constitutional Court regarding the unfairness of this impeachment and return swiftly."

Chief Prosecutor Lee quietly left the office through the underground parking lot without making any separate statements to the media. On the same day, the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Chief Prosecutor Lee, Deputy Chief Jo, and Choi Jae-hoon, Head of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2, in a plenary session. With the delivery of the resolution to the prosecution office in the afternoon, the duties of the three prosecutors, including Chief Prosecutor Lee, were suspended. The Central District Prosecutors' Office immediately switched to an acting duty system.