Bar Association's Five-Year Analysis of Prosecutor Evaluations: "High Promotion Rates Among Outstanding Prosecutors"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] An investigation revealed that prosecutors who showed a high-handed attitude during investigations, such as referring to involved parties as 'ajeossi' (mister) or 'ajumma' (auntie), received lower promotion rates compared to prosecutors who were rated highly.

The Korean Bar Association (Chairman Lee Chan-hee) announced the results of a five-year analysis of prosecutor evaluations conducted nationwide on the 14th. The association annually evaluates prosecutors across the country, selecting about 5 to 10 prosecutors in both the top and bottom tiers in the fields of investigation and trial.

According to the Bar Association, over the five years from 2015 to last year, 72 prosecutors were rated in the top tier, while 75 were rated in the bottom tier.

The Bar Association categorized prosecutor ranks into three levels: 'Prosecutor,' 'Deputy Chief Prosecutor,' and 'Chief Prosecutor or above.' It analyzed the personnel records of 52 prosecutors rated in the top tier and 55 prosecutors rated in the bottom tier from 2015 to 2018. The analysis showed that the average promotion rate for top-rated prosecutors was 23.1% (12 out of 52), which was higher than the 16.3% (9 out of 55) promotion rate for bottom-rated prosecutors.

In this evaluation, Park Chan-young (37, 1st Bar Exam) of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office was the only prosecutor to receive top ratings for two consecutive years. Park was praised for "conducting fair investigations without prejudice" and "demonstrating appropriate flexibility."

Jeong Gyeong-sim, wife of Justice Minister Cho Kuk and a professor at Dongyang University, was summoned privately for the fifth time on the 14th for investigation by the prosecution. The photo was taken at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

On the other hand, four prosecutors received bottom ratings for two consecutive years. These prosecutors were evaluated as showing inappropriate attitudes, such as treating suspects or involved parties in a high-handed manner during investigations or attempting to restrict the participation rights of defense attorneys.

According to cases disclosed by the Bar Association, Prosecutor A was criticized for promising a witness no punishment to obtain testimony and then prosecuting the witness, as well as for intimidating suspects and engaging in verbal disputes, failing to properly protect the human rights and defense rights of suspects and defendants. Prosecutor B was reported to have referred to involved parties as 'ajeossi' or 'ajumma,' interrupted their statements, and shouted at them.

A Bar Association official stated, "It has become clear that lawyers' opinions aimed at enhancing the human rights of suspects and defendants and the defense rights of attorneys align with actual personnel decisions for prosecutors," adding, "We will continue to expand evaluations of prosecutors and disclose the results to make every effort to protect the human rights of the public."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice announced on the 23rd of last month that it had favored prosecutors selected as outstanding by the Korean Bar Association in its mid-level prosecutor personnel reshuffle. The Bar Association responded positively, saying, "We welcome the personnel decisions that significantly reflected evaluation results as part of prosecutorial reform."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.