First Senior Prosecutor Appointments Under Lee Administration... Clear Message of 'Prosecution Reform'

Prosecutor General Resigns Voluntarily, Followed by Swift Promotions and Transfers of Chief Prosecutors
Major Personnel Overhaul Signaled Through 'Stability and Boldness' in Appointments
Shim Woojeong: "The Criminal Justice System Is Directly Linked to Citizens' Basic Rights... Thorough and Careful Discussion Needed"

On the 1st, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building, visible through the sculpture at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, appears distorted as Prosecutor General Shim Woojeong expressed his intention to resign after only nine months in office. The Special Investigation Team on Internal Affairs plans to investigate Prosecutor General Shim Woojeong for abuse of authority and other charges after he immediately abandoned the appeal following the cancellation of former President Yoon Seokyeol's detention. 2025.07.01 Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

The first round of high-level prosecutor appointments since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration was carried out swiftly and decisively. This move appears to signal the administration's determination to complete 'prosecution reform' as early as possible through bold personnel changes.

On July 2, Prosecutor General Shim Woojeong expressed a cautious stance regarding the government's prosecution reform policy. Speaking to reporters on his way to work, Shim stated, "The national criminal justice system, which punishes crime and protects citizens from crime, is directly linked to the basic rights of the people," and added, "We must fully listen to opinions from all sectors of society and engage in thorough and careful discussions."

The Ministry of Justice appointed Noh Manseok, head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Narcotics and Organized Crime Division (age 55, 29th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), as Deputy Prosecutor General (equivalent to High Prosecutor) and Jeong Jinwoo, head of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office (age 53, 29th class), as chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Seong Sangheon, head of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office (age 52, 30th class), was selected as Director of the Prosecution Bureau at the Ministry of Justice. Choi Jiseok, head of the Inspection Division at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office (age 50, 31st class), was appointed as Director of Planning and Coordination. Im Eunjeong, head prosecutor of the Major Economic Crimes Investigation Unit at the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office (age 51, 30th class), was promoted to chief of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, and Kim Taehun, prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office (age 54, 30th class), was promoted to chief of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office.

This personnel reshuffle is widely interpreted as the current administration sending a strong message about its commitment to robust prosecution reform. Jeong Jinwoo and Seong Sangheon, both highly respected within the organization and seen as neutral figures, were placed in the two most influential positions within the prosecution: chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and Director of the Prosecution Bureau. While aiming to prevent confusion among prosecutors, the administration also made a bold move by appointing Im Eunjeong?who is known for her pro-Democratic Party stance and who has not previously served as Deputy Prosecutor General, the final stepping stone before promotion to chief prosecutor?to the position of chief prosecutor.

The leadership reshuffle is seen as a signal for a sweeping overhaul of personnel. It is expected that those who are senior to Deputy Prosecutor General Noh Manseok will be the first to be replaced under the Lee Jaemyung administration. However, since there are very few prosecutors from the 27th and 28th classes of the Judicial Research and Training Institute still in office, there is also a possibility that the next Prosecutor General could be chosen from among Noh's peers or from those who have already retired.

One chief prosecutor commented, "The next Prosecutor General will likely be someone who does not resist the government's prosecution reform policy, along with the Minister of Justice and the Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs," and added, "There are concerns that factors other than competence will be considered in appointing the next Prosecutor General."