Possibility of Additional Resignations Among Chief Prosecutors and Mid-Level Managers...
'One-Off' Personnel Changes Expected Soon
Fatigue Mounts Within Prosecution Amid Investigations and Inspections Targeting the Organization, Including Coupang No
Park Jaeok, Chief Prosecutor of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office (29th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), who was the most senior among the chief prosecutors who issued a joint statement requesting an explanation regarding the decision to forgo an appeal in the Daejang-dong development corruption case, has expressed his intention to resign. He is the first among the 18 chief prosecutors who signed the statement to decide to step down. There is speculation that if the Ministry of Justice proceeds with what is effectively a disciplinary measure of demoting the chief prosecutors to the rank of regular prosecutors, a wave of resignations may follow.
On the 18th, in a phone call with The Asia Business Daily, Chief Prosecutor Park said, “It was a decision I made after careful consideration,” declining to elaborate further. It appears that he made his decision in response to moves to consider disciplinary action against the chief prosecutors who expressed their stance on the decision to forgo the appeal. Park, who had been nominated as the head of the Joint Investigation Headquarters for Narcotics Crimes, has now expressed his intention to resign, which is expected to cause setbacks in the launch of the joint investigation team. Park is recognized as one of the leading figures within the prosecution in handling serious crimes such as drug and organized crime cases.
Although he did not make a public statement, Song Kang, Chief Prosecutor of the Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office (29th class), who reportedly conveyed to former Acting Prosecutor General Noh Manseok the need to explain the circumstances behind the decision to forgo the appeal, also expressed his intention to resign the previous day.
With Gu Jahyun, Acting Prosecutor General (Deputy Prosecutor General at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office), tasked with resolving the current situation, beginning his official duties, the resignation of senior prosecution leadership has continued, creating a tense atmosphere within the prosecution. If the vacant position of Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office and Park’s resignation are both accepted, there is speculation that not only a one-off personnel change to fill the Suwon post, but a large-scale reshuffle could take place.
There is also the possibility that what is effectively a punitive personnel measure could be implemented. In this case, additional resignations may occur among the 30th and 31st class prosecutors, who form the core of the prosecution’s leadership, as well as among the 32nd and 33rd class prosecutors who were recently promoted to chief prosecutor.
Kim Taehun, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, who drew attention as someone who did not sign the joint statement regarding the decision to forgo the appeal, is reportedly being considered for the position of Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Park Cheolwoo, Director of the Anti-Corruption Department at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor), is being mentioned as a candidate for the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office. Both are considered to be pro-government figures.
One division chief prosecutor commented, “The people who should really be taking responsibility and stepping down are elsewhere, but only those who have provided stability are leaving,” adding, “I understand that many among the mid-level managers (deputy chief and division chief prosecutors) are considering their own positions.”
The reason mid-level managers are also contemplating resignation is not only because expressing their stance on the decision to forgo the appeal is being labeled as ‘collective insubordination’ and disciplinary action is being considered, but also due to fatigue caused by multiple issues targeting the prosecution. These include the disposal of the ‘Geonjin Bopsa Kwanbongkwon’ sashes through the permanent special prosecutor system, the investigation into alleged external pressure not to indict Coupang regarding severance pay, and the inspection of the ‘salmon drinking party allegations’ raised by Lee Hwayoung, former Deputy Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, who was convicted in the North Korea remittance case.
With the abolition of the prosecution office scheduled for October next year, there is a growing sentiment that there is no reason to remain in the prosecution amid mounting pressure. However, there are also predictions that if a wave of resignations occurs among chief prosecutors and mid-level managers, it could be perceived as a collective revolt, making them reluctant to act hastily.
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