Resignation of Prosecutor General Signals Tensions in New Administration

On July 1, Prosecutor General 심우정 (Shim Woo-jung) announced his resignation, a move widely interpreted as a response to the new administration's push for the separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers. Prior to his resignation, Shim reportedly expressed concerns that remaining in his position would lead to intensified attacks on the prosecution from the ruling Democratic Party. In a brief resignation statement, he emphasized the potential negative consequences of rushing reforms in the criminal justice system, which directly impacts citizens' fundamental rights.

Shim's resignation came just two days after President 이재명 (Lee Jae-myung) appointed 정성호 (Jeong Seong-ho) as the new Minister of Justice and 봉욱 (Bong Wook) as the Chief of Civil Affairs. During his presidential campaign, Lee promised to separate investigative and prosecutorial powers and implement judicial oversight of prosecutors. Following Lee's election, the Democratic Party proposed legislation to abolish the prosecution office and establish a new public prosecution office. Observers suggest that Shim's decision to resign was influenced by the appointments of Jeong and Bong, who are expected to carry out these reforms.

Upon his appointment, Jeong remarked that maintaining the name 'Prosecution Office' would be challenging. He stated that while the term 'abolition of the prosecution' may not be appropriate, reforms must align with public expectations. A senior prosecutor noted that Shim likely believed that staying in his role would expose him to harsher scrutiny from the government.

Shim has faced pressure from the Democratic Party since before the presidential election. In March, after a court canceled the arrest warrant for former President 윤석열 (Yoon Seok-youl), Shim chose not to appeal the decision, leading to calls for his resignation from the party, which accused him of releasing a traitor.

Following Shim's resignation, several senior prosecutors who worked alongside him also submitted their resignations, which were promptly accepted by President Lee. Among those who resigned were 이진동 (Lee Jin-dong), Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, 신응석 (Shin Eung-seok), Chief Prosecutor of the Southern District of Seoul, and 양석조 (Yang Seok-jo), Chief Prosecutor of the Eastern District of Seoul, all of whom were part of the so-called 'Yoon Seok-youl line' during the previous administration. Additionally, 변필건 (Byeon Pil-geon), Director of Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Justice, also resigned.

In response, the Ministry of Justice quickly announced the appointments of nine new senior officials within the ministry and prosecution. Notably, 노만석 (Noh Man-seok), head of the Drug and Organized Crime Division, was appointed as the Deputy Chief Prosecutor, while 정진우 (Jeong Jin-woo), Chief Prosecutor of the Northern District of Seoul, was named Chief Prosecutor of the Central District of Seoul. 성상헌 (Seong Sang-heon), Chief Prosecutor of Daejeon, was appointed as the Director of the Prosecutors' Office, and 최지석 (Choi Ji-seok), head of the Inspection Division at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, was designated as the Director of Planning and Coordination.