Calls for Reconsideration of Prosecution Appointments
by the Lee Administration
On July 2, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party expressed concern over the recent appointments within the prosecution and urged a reconsideration of these personnel decisions.
Cha Kyugeun, Supreme Council member of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and Lee Kyuwon, Strategy Committee Chair, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the same day, stating, "Upon learning of the appointments of senior prosecutors, we questioned whether these appointments truly reflect the personnel policy of the Lee Jaemyung administration, which was launched in the wake of the unrest caused by the insurrectionist forces led by Yoon Sukyeol."
Cha, Lee, and Lee Gwangcheol, former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary?all former prosecutors?were previously indicted in connection with the illegal travel ban case involving former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hakui, but were recently acquitted by the Supreme Court.
They stated, "The Kim Hakui case was a representative example of Yoon Sukyeol (former president) abusing prosecutorial power," and added, "Song Kang, Director of the Prosecution Bureau, and Lim Sejin, Prosecution Division Chief, who were part of the investigation team at the time, have now been promoted. They faithfully carried out the conclusions dictated by Yoon Sukyeol and held top positions during the Yoon administration."
They further argued, "If those who conducted unethical investigations are given key positions, the public may misunderstand or distrust the Lee Jaemyung administration's commitment to prosecutorial reform. Please reconsider these appointments from the ground up, taking into account the message they send."
On the 1st, a flag in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, fluttered in the wind as Prosecutor General Shim Woojung tendered his resignation after nine months in office. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo
Hwang Hyunseon, Secretary General of the Innovation Party, also criticized the prosecution appointments the previous day via social media, asking, "Are these appointments meant to mock Cha Kyugeun, Lee Kyuwon, and Lee Gwangcheol?"
The Innovation Party also submitted a list of more than 30 so-called 'Yoon Geonhee (Yoon Sukyeol + Kim Keonhee) regime collaborator prosecutors' to the presidential office, requesting their removal. In the prosecution appointments announced the same day, Jung Jinwoo, head of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office and included on the list, was promoted to head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, while Sung Sangheon, head of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, was promoted to Director of the Prosecution Bureau at the Ministry of Justice.
Previously, the Innovation Party also opposed the appointments of Bong Wook as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the presidential office and Lee Jinsu as Vice Minister of Justice, citing their past opposition to prosecutorial reform as the reason for their stance.
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