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Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is answering questions from the press during his visit to Daegu High Prosecutors' Office and District Prosecutors' Office on the afternoon of the 3rd for a meeting with staff.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Seokjin Choi, Daehyun Kim] Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who vowed to "stake his position," is expected to decide on his future within the day on the 4th.

He has held onto his position despite going through extreme confrontations and conflicts with former Ministers Cho Kuk and Choo Mi-ae. However, if the establishment of the Serious Crime Investigation Office (Jungsucheong) proceeds according to the ruling party's intentions, it is interpreted that he may make the decision to resign, as he could become the "last Prosecutor General."

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced that Yoon will make a statement in person at the main entrance of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office at 2 p.m. today. However, they added, "The content of the announcement is being prepared directly by Yoon, so it cannot be confirmed."

Within prosecutorial circles, it is anticipated that Yoon will announce his opposition to the establishment of Jungsucheong and possibly declare his resignation as Prosecutor General before the end of his term.

After completing his visit to Daegu High Prosecutors' Office and District Prosecutors' Office the previous day and returning close to midnight, Yoon took a half-day leave this morning.

This is not the first time Yoon has taken leave the morning after a provincial trip, but given his recent series of strong remarks, analysts suggest it carries significance beyond mere rest.

During his visit to Daegu High Prosecutors' Office and District Prosecutors' Office the previous day, Yoon strongly criticized, saying, "The complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak) is a complete victory for corruption," and added, "It greatly violates the spirit of the Constitution and abandons the constitutional duties of the state and government."

Earlier, in a media interview a day before, he clearly expressed opposition by stating, "(The legislation to establish Jungsucheong) destroys the rule of law and undermines the spirit of the Constitution," and he raised his opposition once again with increased intensity.

At a meeting with Daegu District Prosecutors' Office staff that extended beyond the scheduled two hours, Yoon reportedly reiterated his clear opposition to the establishment of Jungsucheong.

In particular, regarding the "People's Prosecutors" concept he has emphasized, he stated, "It means not to be swayed by the appointing authority, to punish those in power according to principles, and to protect the relatively weaker citizens," adding, "This is a constitutional duty."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Yoon has been seriously contemplating his future recently.

Having continuously clashed with the government and ruling party since the investigation into former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, he maintained his position even when then-Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae filed disciplinary charges and ordered his suspension, by obtaining a court injunction last year.

However, with the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecution and the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (Gongsucheo) completed, he has come to the conclusion that the ruling party's attempt to abolish the Prosecutors' Office entirely and create a new investigative agency is because he remains in the position of Prosecutor General, leading him to seriously consider resigning before his term ends.

The ruling party had already proposed the 'Public Prosecution Office Act' and the 'Prosecutors' Office Abolition Act' at the end of last year before the controversial Jungsucheong establishment bill. If these bills pass, the Prosecutors' Office and prosecutors conducting investigations will disappear entirely.

Yoon, unable to find an appropriate countermeasure to block the passage of these bills, has appealed to public interest through media interviews, which the ruling party interprets as a "political move with presidential ambitions," adding to his burden.

Furthermore, following the Blue House's warning to "respect the opinions of the National Assembly and calmly express opinions according to procedures," former Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun harshly criticized Yoon the day before, calling his remarks "provocative to the public," and said, "If you want to express your convictions, resign and do so confidently," and "We may recommend Yoon's future to President Moon Jae-in," which likely influenced Yoon's change of heart.

Some senior prosecutors have reportedly persuaded Yoon directly until recently, saying, "Now is not the time to resign."

Since Yoon's resignation would leave the prosecution without a central figure, many prosecutors hope he remains for the rest of his term to play a role in blocking the establishment of Jungsucheong.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office collected opinions from frontline prosecutors' offices regarding the establishment of Jungsucheong until the previous day. Most prosecutors, investigators, and staff who responded to the survey reportedly expressed concerns and negative opinions about the establishment. Separately from delivering these collected opinions to the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office is considering officially announcing and publicly releasing its stance on Jungsucheong establishment at the office level.

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