Im Eun-jeong, Subject to 'Deep Eligibility Review', Says "If Fired, I'm Ready to Star in Terminator... I Will Handle It Well"

Im Eun-jeong, the Inspection Officer of the Ministry of Justice, is heading to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials at the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 8th to be questioned as a witness regarding allegations that former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol obstructed the investigation into former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook's perjury coaching case. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Im Eun-jeong, the Ministry of Justice's Inspection Officer who was subject to a 'deep review' in this year's prosecutor qualification examination, has asserted the unfairness of the review and expressed her willingness to pursue litigation if necessary.

According to the legal community on the 11th, Im stated on her social media (SNS) account the day before, "Many people are surprised and worried by the media reports that I am subject to a deep review, but I expected this and calmly received the news," adding, "I have been preparing for a lawsuit in case I am disqualified through the qualification examination since 2015. I will prepare well."

Im also added, "After seeing senior prosecutor Park Byung-gyu (Seoul Northern District Prosecutor's Office) being dismissed, I thought next would be my turn. When I transferred from Changwon District Prosecutor's Office to Uijeongbu in February 2015, I told the prosecutors in advance, 'If I get dismissed, I will shoot a movie called Terminator. I'll be back.' I will handle this well."

The Ministry of Justice recently designated Im as a subject for deep review and is conducting the prosecutor qualification examination. According to the Prosecutors' Office Act, prosecutors must undergo a qualification examination every seven years after appointment. To this end, a committee of nine members, including lawyers, law professors, and prosecutors, is formed. If a prosecutor is judged unqualified in the review, the committee recommends retirement to the Minister of Justice with the approval of two-thirds of the members present. If the minister deems it appropriate, a retirement order is submitted to the President. Im will also be referred to the committee if judged unqualified after the review.

Im appears to have been classified as a subject for deep review this time due to receiving a low evaluation while serving as the head prosecutor of the Criminal Division at the Chungju Branch of the Cheongju District Prosecutor's Office from 2018 to 2019. She had previously undergone a deep review in 2015 and was referred to the prosecutor qualification committee, but the committee found no issues with her ability and did not recommend retirement.

Im said, "From the Lee Myung-bak administration through the Park Geun-hye administration and even during the Moon Jae-in administration, I have never stopped raising issues against the Ministry of Justice and prosecution. Naturally, my personnel evaluations have not been good," adding, "I am prepared to endure the Yoon Seok-youl administration as well."

She also emphasized, "I cannot expect good evaluations while filing complaints against former and current chiefs and prosecutors general. In November 2015, after a colleague hinted that I would be dismissed, I resolved to 'show the essence of job security.' I have continuously strengthened my determination to demonstrate the essence of job security for prosecutors."

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