Prosecutor 'Yuktanjeon' Investigation: Director of Inspection Department Jeong Jin-gi Resigns, "Substantive Truth Must Be Clarified" (Comprehensive)

Following Major Overhaul of the High Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, Inspection Chief Resigns... Concerns Over Prolonged 'Physical Confrontation' Investigation

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The investigation into the 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and reporters' involving a physical altercation between prosecutors appears to have effectively hit a dead end. Following a major reshuffle of the Inspection Department at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, which was in charge of the case, even the head of the Inspection Department, Jeong Jin-gi, submitted his resignation. Before leaving, Jeong, who was pushed to a regional post in this personnel reshuffle, left a poignant remark: "The substantive truth must be clarified in any matter."

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

Jeong also posted a resignation message on the internal communication network, Epros, that morning. 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-error experiences. Many people were hurt because of me."

Jeong 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 substantive judgment, and respect and consider those involved in cases with a heart that regards others as oneself to become a trusted prosecution service.

He also made remarks seemingly pointing to the internal inspection cases he recently handled. Using an old classical phrase, "Only by accurately seeing the reality of all phenomena can a correct view emerge," Jeong stressed, "The prosecution must thoroughly collect evidence to clarify the substantive truth in any matter and then apply the correct legal principles to reach a conclusion appropriate to the case."

Previously, Jeong oversaw the inspection of Jeong Jin-woong, head of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, on charges of 'abuse of authority.' This case, related to the 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and reporters,' involved allegations of assaulting Han Dong-hoon, a research fellow at the Legal Research and Training Institute, during a search and seizure process, and was recently converted into a formal investigation.

However, due to the uncooperative attitudes of Lee Sung-yoon, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong, both the inspection and investigation reportedly failed to progress at a proper pace. The inspected Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong was promoted to Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office.

Among the six prosecutors from the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department who were conducting the inspection on Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong, five were transferred to regional offices in last week's mid-level personnel reshuffle. Besides Jeong being 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.

In legal circles, it is expected that the new head of the Inspection Department will take over the inspection and related investigations concerning Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong. However, since internal inspections often move according to the voices from higher-ups, there is a high possibility that the investigation will be prolonged. Moreover, although the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department prosecutors have the authority to conduct compulsory investigations, they are currently serving as acting officers, and their original affiliation is the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

There are also claims that the promotion of Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong, who has been converted into a suspect, to Deputy Chief Prosecutor should be read as a signal to halt the inspection. A legal insider stated, "Typically, individuals who have been converted into suspects are excluded from promotion reviews. However, since Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jeong was selected as the 'Outstanding Criminal Division Chief' in the first half of the year two years ago, his promotion was decided based on that, which can be interpreted as effectively indicating the direction of the inspection."

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