President Moon to Appoint Deputy Minister of Justice Possibly Today... Disciplinary Committee Proceeding

-Acceptance of Resignation of Deputy Minister of Justice Gogi-yeong Opposing Disciplinary Committee Meeting
-Successors Including Lee Yong-gu, Shim Jae-cheol, Hwang Hee-seok Discussed

President Moon Jae-in [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] The Blue House has immediately begun the process of appointing a new Deputy Minister of Justice following the vacancy created ahead of the Ministry of Justice disciplinary committee meeting for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol scheduled for the 4th. The announcement is expected as early as the afternoon of the 2nd. The plan is to swiftly fill the vacancy left by former Deputy Minister Ko, who resigned in protest against holding the disciplinary committee, and proceed with the disciplinary meeting for Prosecutor General Yoon as planned. It has been confirmed that President Moon Jae-in accepted Deputy Minister Ko Gi-young’s resignation earlier that morning.

According to the Blue House, President Moon is expected to begin appointing a successor Deputy Minister of Justice as early as that afternoon. A senior Blue House official told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "We will appoint the Deputy Minister of Justice as soon as preparations are complete," adding about the appointment in the afternoon, "There is a possibility. No decision has been made yet."

Only two days remain until the disciplinary committee meeting. Given the lack of time to vet and appoint an external candidate, it is highly likely that a close aide of Justice Minister Chu Mi-ae from within the Ministry of Justice will be selected. However, intense internal opposition within the prosecution and the court’s recent ruling pointing out the 'political neutrality of the prosecution'?which opened the way for Prosecutor General Yoon’s reinstatement?pose obstacles.

In particular, this Deputy Minister appointment is effectively aimed at the 'chairperson of the disciplinary committee,' so it is expected to carry political burdens. Following Justice Minister Chu’s disciplinary request, close aides including Acting Prosecutor General Cho Nam-gwan (Deputy Prosecutor General) and former Deputy Minister Ko have consecutively withdrawn. Alternatives such as former Ministry of Justice Legal Affairs Director Lee Yong-gu and current Prosecutor General’s Office Director Shim Jae-cheol are being discussed.

In political circles, the appointment of a 'non-prosecution background figure' is also being speculated. Although former Deputy Minister Ko abruptly resigned immediately after the court’s decision, it is reported that he had expressed his intention internally since the previous weekend, suggesting that Justice Minister Chu may have already prepared a 'Plan B.' Some speculate the name of Hwang Hee-seok, a senior member of the Open Democratic Party and former member of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), is also being considered. Kim Jin-ae, floor leader of the Open Democratic Party, appeared on tbs’s 'Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory' that day and said, "I heard there have been several recent difficulties. I think it may be a limitation of having a prosecution background," and when asked if she had heard about the successor, she replied, "Of course, I have."

After the Cabinet meeting the previous day, Justice Minister Chu unexpectedly visited the Blue House for a private meeting with President Moon. It is believed that the current situation was reported and the successor Deputy Minister appointment was discussed during this meeting. The meeting was arranged suddenly at the request of Minister Chu’s side, not by a summons from President Moon.

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