Director of Inspection Jeong Jin-gi's Resignation over 'Yuktanjeon', "Substantive Truth Must Be Uncovered Regardless of the Issue"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The investigation into the 'prosecutor-media collusion suspicion' that involved a physical altercation between prosecutors has effectively fallen through. Following a major reshuffle of the Inspection Department at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, which was in charge of the case, even Jeong Jinki, the head of the Inspection Department at the High Prosecutors' Office, submitted his resignation.

According to the Ministry of Justice on the 31st, Chief Inspector Jeong submitted his resignation to the Ministry last week after the announcement of the mid-level prosecutor personnel reshuffle.

On the same day, Chief Inspector Jeong also posted a resignation message on the internal communication network, Epros. He confessed, "During my not-so-short career as a prosecutor, I lacked both character and capability in many ways, which led to many trial and errors. Many people were hurt because of me."

Chief Inspector Jeong also quoted Confucius, saying, "Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself." He emphasized that prosecutors must faithfully perform their duties in their respective positions, apply the law based on correct factual judgment, and respect and consider the parties involved with a heart that regards others as oneself to become a trusted prosecution service.

He also made remarks that seemed to point to recent internal conflicts within the prosecution. Using an old classic phrase, "Only by accurately seeing the reality of all phenomena can a correct view emerge," Chief Inspector Jeong stressed, "The prosecution must thoroughly collect evidence to ascertain the substantive truth of any matter and then apply the correct legal principles to reach a conclusion appropriate to the case."

Previously, Chief Inspector Jeong had overseen the inspection of Jeong Jinwoong, head of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, on charges of 'abuse of authority.' This case, related to the 'prosecutor-media collusion suspicion,' involved allegations of assaulting Han Donghoon, a research fellow at the Legal Research and Training Institute, during a search and seizure process, and was recently escalated to a formal investigation.

However, it has been reported that due to the uncooperative attitudes of Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Seongyun and Chief Inspector Jeong, both the inspection and investigation failed to progress at the expected pace. The chief inspector under inspection was promoted to deputy chief prosecutor at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office.

Moreover, in last week's mid-level personnel reshuffle, five out of six prosecutors from the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department who were conducting the inspection on Chief Inspector Jeong were transferred to regional offices. Apart from Chief Inspector Jeong, who was reassigned to the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, other prosecutors were scattered to the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office, Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office, Busan District Prosecutors' Office, and Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office. Only one prosecutor with the lowest seniority remains in the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department.

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