President Lee Won-seok has lunch with 39 chief prosecutors: "Life's path is not a flower road but a thorny path"

"An Environment Too Difficult to Simply Celebrate"
"Must Follow 'Evidence' to Find 'Truth' and 'Law' to Make 'Decisions'"
"Requires Sweat and Tears for the People and the Nation"

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok had lunch on the 16th with 12 prosecutors who were recently promoted to chief prosecutors and 27 others who were reassigned in the recent personnel reshuffle.

Before receiving the reassignment, Prosecutor General Lee said, "While I congratulate all of you appointed as chief prosecutors across the national prosecution offices, I cannot deny that the circumstances are difficult, making it impossible to celebrate unreservedly." He added, "The more difficult it is, the more we must return to our original intentions and basics, deeply examining the reason for the prosecution's existence to find answers on what and how we should act."

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok (center) is taking a commemorative photo after receiving personnel changes from 39 chief prosecutors on the 16th. Photo by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office

He continued, "Our prosecution consists of people who do the 'right thing' in the 'right way' correctly. We seek the 'truth' solely based on 'evidence' and make 'decisions' according to 'legal principles.' This is to uphold 'principles' and 'standards' as legal professionals, which is exactly what the public expects."

Prosecutor General Lee urged the chief prosecutors to "firmly respond to local livelihood crimes so that local residents can enjoy peaceful daily lives, dedicating yourselves to the role of 호민관 (護民官, protector of the people)."

He added, "The public always watches you, the leaders of the prosecution, to see that you live and work uprightly and properly with an attitude of serving the people. Do not forget this and approach every task with humility yet confidence."

At the end of his remarks, Prosecutor General Lee likened life to a thorny path and asked the chief prosecutors not to forget their pride so that they can bear fruit even in difficult circumstances. This appears to be a statement mindful of the prosecution's recent challenges.

He said, "From the moment a person is born, they plunge into a sea of suffering (苦海), and the path of life is not a flower path but a thorny one. There is nothing easy in life, but even amid the thorns of hardship and adversity at every moment, one can find meaningful fulfillment by blooming fragrant flowers and nurturing fruit. Please do not forget your pride."

He continued, "I trust the chief prosecutors here and, together with them, I demand your 'sweat' and 'tears' as leaders of the prosecution for the people and the nation."

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok having lunch with newly appointed Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Chang-soo and other chief prosecutors. Photo by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office

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