Prosecution's 'West Sea Shooting' Appeal Deadline Today... Jung Sung-ho: "Typical Political Retaliation, Prosecution in Disarray"

"Investigation team's opinions leaked before the minister was informed...
How did the prosecution end up like this?"

On January 2, Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho stated his position regarding the 'West Sea Civil Servant Shooting Concealment Allegation' case, saying, "It was a typical politically motivated investigation. I have no plans to direct the prosecution regarding whether to appeal."

Jung Sung-ho, Minister of Justice (right), and Kim Dae-hyun, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, are having a conversation at the Cabinet meeting held on November 18, 2025, at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

On the last day of the appeal deadline, Minister Jung met with reporters at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Complex Gwacheon and said, "I don't think it's appropriate for the minister to express an opinion on this case, so I have not made any comments at all," reiterating his stance.

Regarding the origins of the investigation, Minister Jung said, "Isn't it obvious that this was a highly intentional investigation aimed at overturning all the measures taken at the time within the president's authority?"

He added, "It is an issue that the prosecution should judge internally," but continued, "The National Intelligence Service has already withdrawn its complaint and stated that 'what was initially said was distorted and fabricated.' Taking that into consideration, it is up to the prosecution to make a decision."

However, referring to the situation where the prosecution gave up on appealing the Daejang-dong case, Minister Jung said, "When I told them to review it carefully, there was an uproar that I was telling them not to appeal. As for the West Sea shooting concealment allegation case, I have not said a single word beyond receiving a report on the outcome," adding, "It is my principle not to direct the prosecution regarding specific cases."

Regarding some voices within the investigation team calling for an appeal, he said, "I have not officially heard from the investigation team that they will appeal." He criticized, "When the opinions of the investigation team and the prosecution team are leaked to the public before the minister is even aware of them, it shows how disorganized the prosecution has become. How did the prosecution in the Republic of Korea end up like this?"

He continued, "We need to look at this from the defendant's perspective. Imagine if you were the defendant," and regarding the opposition from the bereaved family of the late former Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official, he added, "Of course, the family can be dissatisfied with the verdict."

Previously, on November 26, the first trial court acquitted former National Security Office Chief Suh Hoon, former National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won, former Defense Minister Suh Wook, former Korea Coast Guard Commissioner General Kim Hong-hee, and former NIS Chief of Staff Noh Eun-chae, who were indicted on charges including abuse of authority. The appeal deadline is 0:00 on the third day, one week after the verdict. The prosecution is expected to decide whether to appeal by the afternoon of January 2.