Prosecutor Organization Restructuring Completed... Major Case Investigations Restarted

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Following the personnel changes of mid-level prosecutors reflecting the prosecution system reorganization promoted by the Ministry of Justice, deputy chiefs and chief prosecutors of each prosecution office began their duties at their new posts on the 3rd, signaling a restart in investigations of major cases.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, the largest prosecution office in the country, experienced the most significant changes due to this reorganization. The special and intelligence investigation departments, previously under the 3rd Deputy Chief, were moved under the 4th Deputy Chief, while the public security investigation departments, formerly under the 2nd Deputy Chief, were transferred under the 3rd Deputy Chief.

Among ongoing investigations, the most attention is on the 'media-prosecution collusion' allegations being investigated by the Criminal Division 1. Former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae has already been indicted and detained on charges of attempted coercion, and attention is focused on whether Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, whom the Prosecution Investigation Committee recommended to suspend investigation and not prosecute, will be indicted. This case is being led by Kim Wook-joon, the 1st Deputy Chief, who is known to have the strong trust of Lee Sung-yoon, the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Additionally, the 'Optimus redemption' case under investigation by the Investigation Division 1 will be led by Choi Sung-pil, the 2nd Deputy Chief, who previously indicted Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's mother-in-law during his tenure as deputy chief at the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office. The 'Blue House ordered investigation and election interference' allegations under investigation by the Public Investigation Division 2 will be led by Koo Ja-hyun, the 3rd Deputy Chief, who served as spokesperson for Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae.

Meanwhile, at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, an investigation and inspection are underway regarding Deputy Chief Jung Jin-woong of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, who is accused of 'abuse of authority' against Prosecutor Han during the 'media-prosecution collusion' investigation. Recently, after Inspection Chief Jung Jin-ki was transferred to Daegu High Prosecutors' Office as a prosecutor and resigned, Deputy Chief Myung Myung-sik, who shares the same hometown as Deputy Chief Jung, was appointed as his successor.

The allegations of 'Minister Choo's son failing to return from leave,' being investigated by the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, will be taken over by Deputy Chief Kim Deok-gon, a junior alumnus of Jeonju High School like the head of the prosecution office.

The Lime Asset Management case, investigated by the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, will proceed under the leadership of Oh Hyun-chul, the 2nd Deputy Chief, who is an alumnus of Kyung Hee University alongside President Moon Jae-in and the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The 'leak of former Mayor Park Won-soon's complaint' allegations, investigated by the Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, will be led by Kim Hyung-geun, the Deputy Chief classified within the head's faction.

Choi Ji-seok, head of the Criminal Division 4 at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, who has been investigating the 'Yoon Mi-hyang and Justice Memory Solidarity accounting fraud allegations,' will remain in his position and continue the investigation.

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