Acting Prosecutor General Norman Seok Noh: "We Must Consider Whether the Public Wants Their Cases Reviewed by Prosecutors"

Resignation After Four Months as Acting Prosecutor General Amid Daejang-dong Appeal Controversy
Noh: "Deep Regret Over Failure to Communicate Appeal Decision Convincingly"

Norman Seok Noh, Acting Prosecutor General who expressed his intention to resign amid controversy over giving up the appeal for Daejang-dong, is leaving the building after completing his retirement ceremony at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 13th.

Norman Seok Noh, Acting Prosecutor General, stated, "We must consider whether the public does not wish for their cases to be reviewed once again by prosecutors, who are legal experts, at the prosecution."

At his retirement ceremony held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 14th, Noh made these remarks. He said, "In discussions regarding the reform of the criminal justice system, the public's right to choose must be respected. I believe we need to seriously consider and reflect on whether people would like their cases to be reviewed once more, not only by the agency that initially conducted the investigation, but also by prosecutors who are legal experts."

Noh also addressed the ruling party's demand for disciplinary action against prosecutors who had requested a detailed explanation and his resignation regarding the recent controversy over the decision to forgo an appeal in the Daejang-dong development corruption case.

Noh stated, "As someone representing the prosecution, I am stepping down for the sake of the future of our institution in light of recent events. Therefore, I sincerely ask that discussions about disciplinary action against prosecutors, as raised in some quarters, be stopped."

He added, "It is regrettable that some interpret the concerns raised internally by members of the prosecution about its functions and political neutrality as acts of insubordination or collective action. I ask for your understanding and support so that all conflicts can be resolved and the prosecution can be united in fulfilling its fundamental role of protecting the public from crime."

Furthermore, regarding the controversy that arose during the process of giving up the appeal, Noh said, "As a senior to many junior prosecutors, I deeply regret that I was unable to make and communicate decisions in a more convincing manner, so that everyone could understand the grave significance of 'investigation and prosecution maintenance' as the core distinction between prosecutors and other investigative agencies."

Noh had faced strong internal pressure to resign following the decision to forgo the appeal, and he expressed his intention to step down on the 12th. He is resigning just four months after taking on the role of Acting Prosecutor General.

Previously, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office did not file an appeal by the deadline of midnight on the 7th regarding the first trial verdict for the private operators involved in the Daejang-dong case. Although the district prosecutors' office recommended filing an appeal, the leadership at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, after consulting with the Ministry of Justice, decided not to accept this recommendation, which led to controversy. Immediately after the decision to forgo the appeal, Jung Jinwoo, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, also expressed his intention to resign.