Jeong Seongho: "No Discussion with Presidential Office on Decision to Forgo Daejang-dong Appeal"

Only Recommended Careful Consideration, Not Opposition
Bae Junyoung: "No Written Instructions, Therefore a Violation of the Law"

Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho stated that he did not consult with the presidential office regarding the prosecution's decision to forgo an appeal in the Daejang-dong trial. The People Power Party argued that investigation directives should have been given in writing and claimed the decision was 'illegal.'

At the plenary meeting of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts at the National Assembly on November 12, Jung said, "After the comprehensive inquiry of the Budget Committee ended on the 6th, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office expressed the opinion that there was a need to appeal in this case. I responded that, since a heavy sentence had already been handed down, we should make a careful decision." He continued, "On the night of the 7th, when the Budget Committee was adjourned, I received an oral report that the prosecution was likely to appeal. Later that evening, after the Budget Committee concluded, I was finally informed that they had decided not to file an appeal."

Jung Sung-ho, Minister of Justice, is responding to a question from Bae Jun-young, a member of the People Power Party, at the plenary meeting of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on November 12, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

When Bae Jun-young, a member of the People Power Party, asked, "Did you instruct the Vice Minister of Justice to forgo the appeal?" Jung replied, "That is not true."

Minister Jung also confirmed that he had never opposed the appeal. When asked, "Did you oppose the appeal?" he answered, "I did not oppose it, not in the end." When it was pointed out that his actions amounted to de facto opposition, Jung countered, "There is a difference between something being de facto and something being legal."

Bae argued that the law requires investigation directives to be given in writing and claimed the process was 'illegal.' In response, Jung stated, "If I had intended to issue a directive, I would have done so in writing," and added, "If the prosecution had interpreted my comments (such as urging careful review) as a directive, they would have requested a written order."

Minister Jung also denied having discussed the matter with the presidential office. He said, "I did not discuss this case with the presidential office," and added, "To my knowledge, there has been no consultation with the presidential office, and the same applies to me."

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