New Phase in Major Investigations Including Samsung Management Succession... Most of the Command Line Replaced

'Geomun Yuchak' Jeong Jin-ung Promoted to Deputy Chief Prosecutor at Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office
Kim Tae-eun, Lee Jung-seop, and Lee Bok-hyun Transferred to Regional Prosecutors' Offices
'Imanhee Arrest and Indictment' Kim Yang-su and Park Seung-dae Transferred

Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong of Samsung Electronics, who is under investigation by the Economic Crime Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for allegations related to the succession of Samsung's management rights / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The key investigative leadership involved in high-profile cases that have attracted public attention, such as the Samsung management succession allegations and the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, underwent major changes on the 27th due to personnel reshuffles by the Ministry of Justice.

On the afternoon of the 27th, the Ministry of Justice announced personnel changes effective from the 3rd of next month for 630 prosecutors, including 585 mid-level prosecutors such as deputy chiefs and chief prosecutors, and 45 general prosecutors. Although it was expected that the scope of personnel changes would be limited considering ongoing major investigations and trials, as well as the mandatory minimum service period of one year, the reality was different. Most mid-level prosecutors in charge of major investigations were reassigned.

At the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, the largest prosecution office nationwide, Kim Wook-jun, the 4th Deputy Chief who led the investigation into the 'Doctor's Room' case, was promoted to 1st Deputy Chief. The 1st Deputy Chief is considered the second-in-command within the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Meanwhile, Lee Geun-soo, the 2nd Deputy Chief who led the investigation into the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, was transferred to become the head of the Anyang branch office.

Among chief prosecutors, Jeong Jin-ung, head of the Criminal Division 1 who investigated the alleged collusion between prosecutors and media, was promoted to Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office. Lee Bok-hyun, head of the Economic Crime Criminal Division who investigated the illegal succession of Samsung's management rights, was reassigned as head of the Criminal Division 3 at the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office. Kim Tae-eun, head of the Public Investigation Division 2 who handled the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election case, was transferred to become head of the Criminal Division 1 at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office.

Replacing them, Byeon Pil-geon, head of the Criminal Division 7 at Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, was appointed head of the Criminal Division 1; Kwon Sang-dae, director of the Public Criminal Affairs Division at the Ministry of Justice, was appointed head of the Public Investigation Division 2; and Joo Min-cheol, director of the Forensic Science Analysis Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, was appointed head of the Economic Crime Criminal Division to conclude the cases.

Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho, who was investigated by the Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and indicted without detention on suspicion of election interference in the Blue House Ulsan mayoral election [Photo by Yonhap News]

At the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, Cho Sang-won, head of the Criminal Division 6 handling the Lime Asset Management case, was transferred to become head of the Criminal Division 12 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and Kim Rak-hyun, head of the Criminal Division 1 at the Pyeongtaek branch office, took over his position. Yang In-cheol, head of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office who handled the case of Minister Choo Mi-ae's son's failure to return from leave, was appointed as the human rights supervisor at the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office. His successor is Kim Deok-gon, head of the Criminal Division 5 at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. Additionally, at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, Lee Jung-seop, head of the Criminal Division 6 who indicted former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and former Busan Deputy Mayor Yoo Jae-soo, was transferred to become head of the Criminal Division 3 at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office.

In regional prosecution offices, Kim Yang-soo, 2nd Deputy Chief at Suwon District Prosecutors' Office who handled the Lee Chun-jae retrial case, and Park Seung-dae, head of the Criminal Division 6 who handled the Shincheonji Church of Jesus evidence tent case, were reassigned as Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office and Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, respectively. Their positions will be filled by Song Kang, 2nd Deputy Chief at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, and Park Kwang-hyun, head of the Crime Proceeds Recovery Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

However, the Ministry of Justice stated, "To ensure continuity and stable conclusion of investigations and prosecutions on major issues, team leader-level prosecutors who have been leading investigations and trials have been retained to prevent any disruption to ongoing investigative and prosecutorial work."

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