Lee Won-seok "Let's shed blood, sweat, and tears together for the Prosecution"... Appointment as Prosecutor General Today

133 Days, Longest Ever Vacancy for Prosecutor General... Lee Acts as Deputy for 120 Days
Investigation Momentum for Lee Jae-myung and Others... Challenges Remain in Prosecutorial Reform and Personnel Affairs

Candidate for Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 5th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] After a record-long vacancy of 133 days for the Prosecutor General position, Lee Won-seok, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (age 53, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 27), is expected to be inaugurated as Prosecutor General on the 16th.

President Yoon Seok-yeol requested the National Assembly to resend the confirmation report for Lee's nomination until the previous day, but the Democratic Party of Korea reportedly opposed it on the grounds that "(Lee) cannot guarantee political neutrality."

However, considering overseas trip schedules on the 18th, President Yoon decided to appoint Lee on the 16th. Upon receiving the appointment letter from President Yoon at the Yongsan Presidential Office on that day, Lee is scheduled to pay respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery and then hold an inauguration ceremony at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

Since being appointed Deputy Prosecutor General in May, Lee has served as acting Prosecutor General for 120 days, during which he was recognized for his ability to reorganize the disrupted organization, leading to his selection as Prosecutor General.

Lee reportedly told senior officials at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office that he felt as if he had poured all his energy into carrying out changes that should have been made over several years within just a few months. He also encouraged them by saying, "Let us continue to shed ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ together for the prosecution."

Inside and outside the prosecution, there is analysis that with the Prosecutor General position now filled, politically sensitive investigations such as those related to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the ‘forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen’ case will gain momentum.

While Lee received frequent reports on major investigations during his tenure as acting Prosecutor General, his scope of action was limited due to his acting status. However, it is expected that investigations will proceed under his direct command once he officially assumes the Prosecutor General position.

Lee also faces the task of addressing loopholes in the recently enacted law on June 10th that completely strips the prosecution of investigative authority (known as Geomsu Wanbak). Issues such as the exclusion of complainants' objections and the separation of investigative and prosecutorial roles remain unresolved even with the ‘Geomsu Wonbok Enforcement Decree.’

Filling key vacant positions such as the head of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office is also Lee’s responsibility. It is expected that Lee will soon appoint a Deputy Prosecutor General to work closely with him. The Deputy Prosecutor General holds significant responsibilities, including representing the prosecution before the National Assembly on behalf of the Prosecutor General.

Lee is reportedly considering promoting a colleague from his Judicial Research and Training Institute class or a junior by one class to the Deputy Prosecutor General position, which is at the level of a high prosecutor, or alternatively assigning the role concurrently to one of the department heads (chief prosecutors) at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

Within the prosecution, there is speculation that if personnel changes at the chief prosecutor level or higher are made, a chain reaction of transfers will be inevitable. To minimize confusion, some expect that vacant positions may be temporarily managed by acting officials and filled during the regular personnel reshuffle next year.

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