Lee Young-joo, Deputy Director of Judicial Research and Training Institute, First Prosecutor General to Resign After Choo's Appointment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Lee Young-joo, Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, submitted her resignation, marking the first resignation at the chief prosecutor level following the high-ranking prosecutor personnel reshuffle carried out after Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae took office.

According to the legal community on the 10th, Deputy Director Lee announced on the prosecutors' internal network 'Epros' that she is "leaving the prosecution." She wrote, "After the personnel changes six months ago, I judged that it was time to leave the prosecution," adding, "Although a successor has come to work following this reshuffle, I have diligently carried out the duties I intended to fulfill within the planned period and scope, so I am now leaving as originally scheduled."

She explained the reason for submitting her resignation, saying, "The prosecution now appears more confused than ever before as it faces major changes," and "As a senior official in the organization, I have no honor to work at an educational institution where I can 'commute with peace of mind' without sharing the pain and difficulties on the front lines during these turbulent and chaotic times."

She continued, "Despite the prosecution members working passionately and devotedly, the fundamental reason we have failed to gain public trust and are forced to change is due to the 'fairness' we often lose, which is an issue in the realm of virtue rather than talent." She also advised, "If we look at it objectively, setting aside personal interests, the root cause becomes visible, and solutions will come to mind."

Deputy Director Lee was the second female prosecutor ever to be promoted to chief prosecutor, following former Seoul Eastern District Chief Prosecutor Cho Hee-jin. She passed the 32nd Judicial Examination in 1990 and began her career as a prosecutor at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office in 1993. In 2017, she was appointed Chief Prosecutor of Chuncheon District Prosecutor's Office. In the personnel reshuffle last July, she was transferred from Planning Director at the Legal Research and Training Institute to Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. After Minister Choo took office, she was moved back to Planning Director at the Legal Research and Training Institute in the personnel announcement on the 8th.

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