New Justice Vice Minister Yong-gu Lee: "Will Wisely Complete Reform Tasks... Please Do Not Prejudge the Results"

"Acting Solely According to Due Process and Legal Principles"
Prosecutors' Internal Reaction Is Cold

Lee Yong-gu, the newly appointed Vice Minister of Justice, is arriving at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 3rd.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Lee Yong-gu, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Justice who will take over the position following the resignation of Ko Ki-young, promised to handle duties in accordance with the common sense of the people and asked that people refrain from making premature judgments and watch closely.

On the 3rd, Deputy Minister Lee stated in a press release, “I understand well that all reforms come with great pain, but especially this time, the public’s concerns are significant.”

He continued, “I will serve under the Minister of Justice and wisely overcome this critical moment to complete the reform tasks,” adding, “I believe it is my duty to break through communication barriers and solidify trust.”

He emphasized, “There are several important issues at hand right now. However, there have been criticisms that the most fundamental procedural justice was not observed,” and added, “All state actions must follow the principle of due process, which is a fundamental principle of the Constitution and essential to protecting the basic rights of the people.”

He further stated, “Based on my experience as a judge, I will review matters anew and handle duties fairly, transparently, neutrally, and in line with the common sense of the people,” and requested, “Please do not make premature judgments and watch closely. I promise to perform my duties solely according to due process and legal principles.”

However, frontline prosecutors have shown a cold response to Deputy Minister Lee, who was hastily appointed by Minister Choo Mi-ae to serve on the disciplinary committee.

In particular, there are criticisms that the appointment of Deputy Minister Lee, who previously served as the defense attorney for former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-kyu?who was accused of manipulating the economic feasibility of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1?is inappropriate.

Jung Hee-do, Chief Prosecutor of Cheongju District Prosecutors’ Office, expressed strong dissatisfaction in a post titled “Deputy Minister Lee Yong-gu and Director Shim Jae-cheol Are Not Acceptable” on the prosecutors’ internal network, saying, “No matter how urgent it is, appointing the defense attorney of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant case as deputy minister and putting him on the disciplinary committee is really too much.”

He added, “There are widespread rumors among prosecutors about what stance Deputy Minister Lee took regarding the investigation of former Minister Cho Kuk, which became an opportunity for the current ruling power to change its attitude and attack the Prosecutor General,” and criticized, “Even if you break the rules, you should do so within limits.”

Another chief prosecutor expressed concern, saying, “It seems that Minister Choo Mi-ae appointed someone as deputy minister who would perfectly support her side ahead of Prosecutor General Yoon’s disciplinary committee,” and added, “I am worried that he will follow factional logic rather than objective judgment.”

Deputy Minister Lee, a former judge, is from the progressive judges’ group ‘Uri Beop Yeonguhoe’ and worked as the lead attorney at LKB & Partners, founded by lawyer Lee Kwang-beom, a former president of ‘Uri Beop Yeonguhoe.’ He served as the head of the Legal Affairs Office at the Ministry of Justice from August 2017, shortly after the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, until April of this year. He is considered a close aide of Minister Choo, having served as the head of the confirmation hearing preparation team for then Minister Choo Mi-ae in December last year.

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