On July 4, Lim Eunjeong, the newly appointed chief prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, stated, "The prosecution stands at a crossroads, facing questions about its accuracy and whether it should be revised or discarded." She added, "Without the trust of the sovereign people, the authority of the prosecution is nothing more than a mirage."
During her inauguration speech at the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office in Songpa-gu, Seoul, Lim said, "Let us acknowledge targeted investigations, covering for our own, and lenient investigations." She continued, "We have rebuked criminal suspects for lacking remorse, but if we deny our own wrongdoing, won't the people also rebuke the prosecution?"
Lim stated, "When defending prosecutorial authority, we did not hesitate to act collectively, yet we remained silent about the prosecution's mistakes." She added, "Silence and indifference in the face of injustice amount to complicity in that injustice."
She further remarked, "The current era does not demand excuses that 'we did more good,' but rather calls for unwavering adherence to the law, principles, justice, and fairness." She continued, "Now is the most opportune moment given to us. Let us correct the prosecution's wrongdoings and create a new future together."
On her first day commuting to work, Lim also stated, "The prosecution is now on the operating table, and if we do not show real change, we will face reforms tantamount to dismantlement."
When asked about internal opposition to prosecutorial reform, Lim responded, "Wasn't the Yoon Suk-yeol administration once labeled a 'prosecution dictatorship'? Compared to that time, it seems that the voices within the prosecution have somewhat subsided." She added, "There are quite a few junior prosecutors who feel devastated seeing a once-respected senior prosecutor being investigated on charges of being the ringleader of a rebellion. I sense that the prosecution is now reflecting on the misjudgments made during that period."
Regarding criticism that her appointment was politically motivated, Lim said, "Having been an internal whistleblower for over ten years, this has always been the case." She continued, "Depending on one's perspective, I may be seen differently, but I have no choice but to accept that. I will show my sincerity through my actions going forward."
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