Lee Won-seok, Acting Prosecutor General, "Carried out personnel changes after multiple communications with the Ministry of Justice"

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Lee Won-seok, Deputy Prosecutor General (Acting Prosecutor General), is answering questions from reporters as he arrives at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Regarding the first regular personnel reshuffle of senior prosecutors since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, Lee Won-seok, Acting Prosecutor General (Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), stated that the personnel changes were carried out after sufficient consultation with the Ministry of Justice.

On the morning of the 23rd, while on his way to work, Acting Prosecutor Lee told reporters, "We had thorough consultations on the personnel plan with the Ministry of Justice, exchanging various opinions, and during that process, we made several communication efforts based on mutual respect and recognition. I believe that differences of opinion have been sufficiently resolved, and that individuals appointed are well-qualified, capable, possess good character, and have received favorable reputations both inside and outside the organization. We are doing our utmost to ensure there is no vacancy in the Prosecutor General position."

In response to criticism that dissatisfaction or discord might arise because the next Prosecutor General was not involved in the consultations, Acting Prosecutor Lee explained, "We have submitted all the opinions that the prosecution could present. Since the communication process was thorough, excellent individuals have been appointed, and we proceeded with the personnel changes with the thought that whoever becomes the Prosecutor General will be able to immediately command and work with their staff without any shortcomings."

Although this personnel reshuffle has been evaluated as a balanced appointment moving away from an all 'special investigation division' prosecutor lineup, there has been criticism that prosecutors known as the so-called Yoon Seok-yeol line monopolized key positions. Regarding this, he said, "I hope expressions like 'balanced appointments' or that prosecutors from certain fields were favored in the personnel changes disappear. We put a lot of thought into this reshuffle and selected individuals based on their qualifications, capabilities, character, and proven achievements related to their work, as well as their significant efforts toward organizational harmony, both inside and outside the prosecution. There were no other reasons or grounds for their selection," drawing a clear line.

Regarding the upcoming mid-level personnel reshuffle for deputy prosecutors and chief prosecutors to be announced next week, he revealed that discussions with the Ministry of Justice are still ongoing. Acting Prosecutor Lee said, "While appointments of chief prosecutors are important, those for deputy prosecutors and chief prosecutors are even more important. Since there are more personnel and more parties to consult with, we are discussing various opinions just like with the chief prosecutor appointments, and we are working to narrow differences based on mutual recognition and respect."

He added, "Personnel matters are quite difficult, so we are giving them a lot of thought. The prosecution is submitting opinions thoroughly and will continue to strive for substantive consultations to proceed."

Regarding the possibility that the prosecution might form a special investigation team following the family of Mr. Lee, a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official who was killed by North Korean gunfire in the West Sea, filing a complaint yesterday against former National Security Office Director Suh Hoon, former Blue House Civil Affairs Secretary Kim Jong-ho, and former Civil Affairs Secretary Lee Kwang-cheol at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, he responded, "The complaint was received yesterday, and the Central District Prosecutors' Office will thoroughly review the contents of the complaint and then decide on the next steps."

In response to criticism from opposition parties that the prosecution is accelerating investigations related to the Moon Jae-in administration, such as the 'Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy blacklist investigation,' and conducting retaliatory investigations, he emphasized, "We respect the investigations being conducted at the front lines, are monitoring the investigative processes closely, and are providing sufficient guidance. The investigations currently underway at each front are individual cases that have been ongoing for a considerable time. There is absolutely no intention by the prosecution to collectively plan or conduct retaliatory investigations. The ongoing investigations are individual and have been proceeding for a long period."

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