Presidential Office Addresses Concerns Over Special Investigations Prosecutor Oh Kwangsoo, Confirms Commitment to Judicial Reform

The Presidential Office stated that Oh Kwangsoo, the new Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, who is a former special investigations prosecutor and whose appointment had raised concerns even within the Democratic Party, deeply understands President Lee Jaemyung's philosophy on prosecutorial reform and has demonstrated a strong commitment to judicial reform. In response to these concerns, President Lee reportedly provided a direct explanation during a dinner with the Democratic Party leadership on June 7.

Oh Kwangsoo, the new Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Presidential Office (Source: Presidential Office)

On June 8, President Lee appointed Oh Kwangsoo, a former prosecutor, as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Presidential Office. Chief of Staff Kang said, "Senior Secretary Oh is a former prosecutor who is widely respected both inside and outside the prosecution for his outstanding drive and character," adding, "He is someone who deeply understands President Lee's philosophy on prosecutorial reform."

Oh Kwangsoo is from Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, and graduated from Jeonju High School and the Department of Law at Sungkyunkwan University. He was in the 19th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, the same as President Lee, and served as the Head of the Central Investigation Division 2 at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and as the Head of the Special Investigation Division 2 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Having worked in the Central Investigation and Special Investigation Divisions, he was known as a "special investigations expert." He later served as the Chief Prosecutor at the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office and as the Director-General for Crime Prevention Policy at the Ministry of Justice, before working as a lawyer from 2016.

After Oh Kwangsoo, known for his background in special investigations, was mentioned as a candidate for Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, concerns were raised within the ruling bloc. Seo Youngkyo, a Democratic Party lawmaker and a candidate for the next floor leader, said, "He worked with Yoon Sukyeol and was a special investigations prosecutor with him. In my view, that is not a good thing." Previously, Hwang Unha, a lawmaker from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, also wrote on Facebook, "This is an appointment that will be celebrated by special investigations prosecutors, who should be the target of reform." The civic group People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy stated, "At a time when the need for prosecutorial reform is greater than ever, appointing a former prosecutor as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs risks undermining the momentum for reform."

In response, the Presidential Office explained that the decision was made after confirming Oh Kwangsoo's commitment to judicial reform. An official from the Presidential Office said, "President Lee is the biggest victim of political prosecutors. Judicial reform is something that must be achieved through legislation," adding, "We will ensure that those who are concerned have nothing to worry about." The official further stated, "Judicial reform is achieved through law," and emphasized that Oh Kwangsoo's commitment to judicial reform had been confirmed.