Female Prosecutors Make Strides in Mid-Level Appointments... First Woman Named First Deputy Chief at Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office

Choi Jaea Appointed as First Deputy Chief at Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office, Awarded ‘Blue Belt’ in Sex Crime Expertise
Praised for “Quick Judgment”
Second Deputy Chief Also a Woman
Ministry of Justice: “Female Prosecutors Now 42% of Mid

It is expected that the special investigation team for the insurrection will emphasize the legitimacy of the detention by mainly involving the special prosecutors and prosecutors who participated in the detention warrant hearing for former President Yoon Sukyeol's detention review. The photo shows the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where the insurrection special investigation office was set up on July 18, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The first round of mid-level executive appointments for deputy chief prosecutors and division chief prosecutors under the Lee Jaemyung administration was carried out on August 21. It is being noted that this round of appointments is marked by the remarkable advancement of female prosecutors, who had previously not been placed in key positions.

The Ministry of Justice announced that it had implemented personnel transfers for 695 prosecutors, including 665 deputy chief and division chief prosecutors and 30 regular prosecutors. The appointments will take effect on August 27.

Choi Jaea, chief of the Gimcheon District Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as the first deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, the largest prosecution office in the country. This is the first time a female prosecutor has been appointed to this position. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Choi began her career at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, later serving as the Sentencing Policy Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and as Director of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, and then as head of the Women and Children Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office. She was awarded the Level 2 Blue Belt as a certified specialist in sex-related crimes. Within the prosecution, she is recognized for her rationality and quick judgment.

Jang Hyeyoung, deputy chief of the Busan Western District Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as the second deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Park Junyoung, head of the Criminal Division 1 at the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office, will take charge as the third deputy chief prosecutor overseeing public security investigations. Lee Junho, public affairs officer at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as the fourth deputy chief prosecutor in charge of the anti-corruption division.

All previous deputy chief prosecutors at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office have either been demoted or voluntarily resigned. Park Seunghwan, the first deputy chief prosecutor, resigned from office. Gong Bongsook, the second deputy chief prosecutor, has been reassigned to the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, and Lee Seongsik, another second deputy chief prosecutor, has been demoted to the Daegu High Prosecutors’ Office. It is unusual for a former deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office to be transferred to a high prosecutors’ office.

All mid-level executives at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office have been replaced. Na Hana, planning officer at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as the Policy Planning Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, marking the first time a female prosecutor has held this position. Na began her career at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office, served as a prosecutor in the Criminal Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Justice, as team leader in the Criminal Planning Division, and as head of the DNA and Chemical Analysis Division at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

Jeong Hyeon, head of the Criminal Division 4 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, another female prosecutor, has been appointed as the Criminal Policy Officer. She has experience investigating the so-called “Blue House-led planned audit” case, which emerged during the reinvestigation of allegations of sexual hospitality involving former Vice Minister of Justice Kim Hakui, and she also worked in the Special Investigation Division at the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office, giving her extensive experience in special investigations. The Criminal Policy Officer plays a crucial role in presenting the prosecution’s opinions to the Ministry of Justice and other bodies regarding future prosecutorial reforms by the government and the ruling party.

Jang Jaewan, head of Criminal Division 8 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as the Anti-Corruption Planning Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, overseeing special investigations nationwide. Lim Sambin, deputy chief of the Goyang District Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as the Public Security Planning Officer.

The public affairs teams at the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office have also been completely replaced. Kim Taehun, head of Public Security Division 3 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice. Lee Jinyong, head of the Tax Crime Investigation Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as spokesperson for the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. Kwon Naegeon, Human Rights Planning Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, has been appointed as public affairs officer at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

The Ministry of Justice explained, “This round of appointments focused on whether the candidates have a spirit of dedication to the nation and the public, as well as outstanding practical abilities. We have selected talented individuals who have been recognized for their work competence and leadership within the prosecution.”

The Ministry of Justice also stated that after the personnel appointments in the second half of last year, the proportion of female deputy chief and division chief prosecutors at the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office was 25%, but with this round of appointments, it has significantly increased to 42%.