Kim Oh-soo "This Personnel Change Is Unsettling" Consoles Demoted Prosecutors... Also Urges Investigation Security

"No Marginal Positions in Prosecution, I Consider You All Promoted"

On the 1st of last month, Kim Oh-soo, the newly appointed Prosecutor General, delivered his inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony held at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist Reporter] Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo recently comforted prosecutors who were demoted in the recent personnel reshuffle, saying, "I was not at ease," while encouraging them to work creatively and diligently in any position, emphasizing that "there is no sidelined post in the prosecution."

He also stressed the prosecution's direct investigation of the six major crimes and urged strict maintenance of investigation confidentiality.

In his remarks on June 1 regarding the mid-level prosecutor personnel transfers, Kim said, "Some may feel somewhat disappointed as the personnel changes did not meet their expectations," adding, "Personnel decisions are made by representatives of the people, who are the sovereigns, entrusted by the public."

He continued, "I believe it is the duty of public officials to accept this as the will of the people," and urged, "From now on, please prioritize your superiors, colleagues, junior prosecutors, investigators, and administrative staff at your new assignments." He also emphasized, "Please make sure to listen carefully to the earnest voices of individual citizens found in cases and records."

Kim comforted and encouraged prosecutors who were demoted in this mid-level personnel reshuffle by referring to his own experience.

He said, "I also was not at ease when I saw the contents of this personnel reshuffle," adding, "All ten fingers are equally precious and have their roles, but we cannot ignore the evaluations of those around us and public opinion."

He added, "From that perspective, and based on my 23 personnel experiences, I want to offer comfort and encouragement."

Kim emphasized, "I believe it is more important to illuminate the position than to go to a shining position," and stated, "Key posts, sidelined posts, promotions, and demotions are relative concepts. The person accepting it is the most important."

He continued, "I believe there are no sidelined posts in the prosecution, and that all of you have been promoted."

He also expressed his intention to improve the prosecution personnel system.

Kim said, "Wherever you work, if you work creatively and diligently with a citizen-centered mindset, you will definitely be properly evaluated and reflected in the next personnel decisions. I will do my best to ensure this," adding, "We are currently preparing such a system and will inform you soon."

Kim also emphasized the prosecution's uninterrupted investigation of the six major crimes.

He said, "The people's decision is that the prosecution should directly investigate the six major crimes," adding, "The prosecution must continue the investigation of the six major crimes decided by the people without interruption."

He also stated, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office is preparing guidelines related to the direct investigation of the six major crimes and the prosecution judicial police management work regulations to ensure that the national response capability to crime is not weakened," and added, "Prosecutors and investigators working in the investigation field will be able to participate in the direct investigation of the six major crimes without any restrictions under any circumstances, and we will prepare reasonable measures to that effect."

Kim also expressed discomfort about recent disclosures of investigation-related information through the media.

He said, "We must trust and communicate with each other regarding investigations and case handling," but pointed out, "However, since some time ago, investigation-related matters such as internal decision-making have been frequently reported."

He added, "This is extremely wrong because it obstructs genuine communication," and repeatedly urged, "Please keep in mind that internal discussions should be intense, but investigation confidentiality must be strictly maintained."

Finally, Kim emphasized a 'citizen-centered prosecution.'

He said, "Now that prosecution reform has been completed, we are in a critical situation where all members of the prosecution must pool their wisdom and hearts to reorganize the organization, innovate investigation practices, and improve organizational culture to transform into a citizen-centered prosecution."

He continued, "The 'Citizen-Centered Prosecution Promotion Team' has been launched, and 'Citizen-Centered Prosecution TFs' have been established and are operating at each high prosecutor's office level," urging, "This is a significant issue that can change the future of the prosecution, so I hope you take an interest and participate."

Kim stressed once again the importance of investigation confidentiality, saying, "In the face of a major crisis, our stability and unity are more important than anything else, and individual regrets and disagreements should be reasonably resolved within the organization."

In the mid-level personnel reshuffle effective June 2, which was carried out on May 25, the heads of the investigation teams at Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, investigating the 'Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Economic Feasibility Evaluation Manipulation' case, and at Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, investigating the 'Kim Hak-eui Illegal Departure and Investigation Pressure' case, were both replaced, raising concerns that judicial processing of current government officials involved in these allegations might be hindered.

However, following the indictment by Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office of former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-gyu and former Blue House Industrial Policy Secretary Chae Hee-bong (currently President of Korea Gas Corporation) involved in the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant case the day before, and the indictment of Lee Kwang-chul, Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary, by Suwon District Prosecutors' Office on the same day, the judicial processing of key suspects was concluded before the investigation team chiefs were replaced.

However, regarding the allegation that former Minister Baek instigated breach of trust by Jeong Jae-hoon, President of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), who was indicted together the previous day, Prosecutor General Kim has decided to convene the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee ex officio, and it remains to be seen whether additional indictments will be made.

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