Yoon's Fierce Offensive in Autumn... Will It Reach Its 'Peak' with Next Month's Prosecutor Personnel Changes?

Massive personnel reshuffle by Yoon's team in January
Possible moves beyond 'January personnel changes'
Direct investigation into allegations of collusion between prosecutors and media
Harsh remarks toward Chief Prosecutor Yoon
Analysis suggests moves are groundwork for personnel justification
Ruling party criticism and Moon's messages are variables

Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae is attending a public hearing held by the Preparatory Committee for the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on the 25th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. The hearing, held under the theme "Direction for Establishing the CIO as an Advanced Investigation Agency," was organized to gather opinions from experts and the public so that the CIO can launch as an organization that meets the expectations and standards of the people ahead of the enforcement of the CIO Act on the 15th of next month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's 'criticism of the prosecution' is expected to reach its peak in the prosecution personnel reshuffle scheduled as early as the beginning of next month. Meanwhile, the offensive is likely to intensify further at official events held in the National Assembly and the Blue House. The variables include not only the opposition party but also opinions from some within the ruling party that the actions are 'excessive,' as well as the President's message.

Minister Choo will attend the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 30th. President Moon Jae-in urged Minister Choo at the Fair Society Anti-Corruption Policy Council meeting on the 22nd to "work with the Prosecutor General to promote reforms." However, starting the next day, Minister Choo began making remarks targeting Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl in earnest. It is unclear whether this is due to a different interpretation of the President's directive or whether she has properly understood the President's intentions. If President Moon delivers a message evaluating Minister Choo's remarks so far at the Cabinet meeting, it could lead to changes in her course of action.

Prior to that, Minister Choo will attend the plenary session of the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 29th for the supplementary budget bill. Whether the plenary session will be held has not been confirmed as of the morning of that day, but the ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, is strongly determined to push it through, making it highly likely. At this session, lawmakers may question Minister Choo about her recent statements and actions, and her responses are expected to provide clues about the scope of the prosecution personnel reshuffle scheduled for early July.

The Ministry of Justice will carry out a regular personnel reshuffle next month, moving senior prosecution officials. Considering the planned launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongsoocheo) by the government in the same month, the timing of the reshuffle, usually done at the end of the month, may be moved forward this time. Based on Minister Choo's recent actions, many in the legal community already analyze that this reshuffle will be as radical as the one in January. In January, Minister Choo moved a large number of prosecution officials identified as part of the so-called 'Yoon Seok-youl faction.' A storm is anticipated again next month, with prosecutors being demoted on a scale equal to or greater than the previous reshuffle. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Bok-hyun, who remains close to Prosecutor General Yoon, is also rumored to be a candidate for reassignment. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee is in charge of the Samsung Biologics investigation.

Regarding the 'prosecutor-media collusion' allegations that a reporter and a prosecutor had a special relationship involving coercion and intimidation of sources, the Ministry of Justice excluded Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Busan High Prosecutors' Office, who was named as a suspect, from his duties on the 25th and launched a direct investigation. Additionally, on the 28th, Minister Choo told first-term lawmakers that Prosecutor General Yoon did not follow her investigation instructions regarding the illegal political funds case involving former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook. These moves are interpreted as efforts to publicize issues related to prosecution investigation practices.

After having dinner with frontline criminal division chiefs in May, Minister Choo also expressed her intention to favor the criminal division in the upcoming personnel reshuffle. Accordingly, special investigation division prosecutors are expected to be excluded from promotions, and those close to Prosecutor General Yoon, known as 'specialists,' are anticipated to be hit. As these speculations continue, it is known that there is not only resistance within the prosecution but also considerable concern about their positions.

Within and outside the prosecution, rumors have circulated that some chief prosecutors have already submitted their resignations ahead of the reshuffle. It is also reported that the prosecution plunged into confusion following the resignation submission by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Kwang-seok, who led the search and seizure at former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's residence, on May 12. Prosecutor Lee was the person who took a call from former Minister Cho at the scene during the search. At that time, controversy arose over whether the call was perceived as pressure. Among frontline prosecutors, there is an analysis that Prosecutor Lee, feeling pressured by this controversy and fearing demotion in the upcoming reshuffle, expressed his intention to resign.

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