Deputy Chief Prosecutors Nationwide Also Call for Norman Seok's Resignation... "Urge Attitude Befitting the Position"

"Forgoing Appeal in Daejang-dong Case Leaves Irreparable Wound on Prosecution's Purpose"
"Minister of Justice's Explanation Fails to Clarify Reasons for Forgoing Appeal"

Norman Seok, Acting Prosecutor General, is arriving at the Seoul Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 10th and responding to questions from reporters. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Chief prosecutors from district offices nationwide, who hold the rank of deputy chief prosecutor, have collectively issued a statement regarding the decision to "forgo an appeal" in the Daejang-dong development corruption case, urging an "attitude befitting the position." Effectively, they are calling for the voluntary resignation of Norman Seok, Acting Prosecutor General (Deputy Chief Prosecutor).

On November 10, chief prosecutors from across the country posted a statement titled "A Request to the Acting Prosecutor General" on the prosecution's internal network. The statement was signed by chief prosecutors of district offices with deputy chief prosecutors, including Hadammi, Chief Prosecutor of Anyang District Office; Lim Ilsu, Chief Prosecutor of Seongnam District Office; Lee Donggyun, Chief Prosecutor of Ansan District Office; Kim Yoonseon, Chief Prosecutor of Cheonan District Office; Shin Dongwon, Chief Prosecutor of Daegu Western District Office; Choi Haenggwan, Chief Prosecutor of Busan Eastern District Office; Son Chanoh, Chief Prosecutor of Busan Western District Office; and Yong Seongjin, Chief Prosecutor of Suncheon District Office.

In their statement, they said, "If the circumstances leading to the order to forgo an appeal in the Daejang-dong case are not sufficiently explained, it will leave an irreparable and fatal wound on the values the prosecution must uphold and the very reason for its existence."

They further stated, "The statements from the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, the Acting Prosecutor General, and the explanations from the Minister of Justice do not clarify the specific circumstances under which the firm opinions of the investigation and trial team, as well as the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, were suddenly overturned and, in an unprecedented move, the decision was made to forgo an appeal in such a significant matter."

They continued, "Given that this is a major corruption case that has drawn national attention over several years, and that the unanimous opinion of the investigation and trial team-who were directly responsible for maintaining the prosecution-was apparently not reflected at all without a reasonable explanation, we urge those in positions of responsibility to provide a convincing explanation and to demonstrate an attitude befitting their roles."

On November 7, the prosecution decided not to appeal the sentences handed down in the first trial to defendants convicted on charges related to the Daejang-dong development corruption case. Forgoing an appeal despite the sentences being lighter than what was sought by the prosecution is highly unusual, and the investigation team revealed that the leadership of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office blocked the submission of the appeal, causing a major stir.

After Jinwoo Jung, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, expressed his intention to resign amid the ensuing controversy, Acting Prosecutor General Seok issued a statement saying, "The decision was made after thorough deliberation and consultation with the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, under my responsibility as Acting Prosecutor General."

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