Autumn Wind Greeting Leads to Resignation Reality... Yoo Si-min's Investigating Prosecutor Also Resigns

원본보기 아이콘

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Following the mid-level prosecutor personnel reshuffle by the Ministry of Justice, a series of protest resignations have continued. The targets are prosecutors who received unwanted assignments in this reshuffle, following those who were omitted from promotion to chief prosecutor.

On the 28th, according to the legal community, Lee Jaeseung (46, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 30), head of the Criminal Division 3 at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, posted a resignation message on the internal prosecution network I-PROS, stating, "I am now about to conclude my career as a prosecutor."

Prosecutor Lee investigated a case in which a civic group accused Yoo Si-min, director of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, of spreading false information on the YouTube broadcast 'Alileo' last October. In this personnel reshuffle, he was demoted to a prosecutor at the Suwon High Prosecutors' Office.

Prosecutor Lee recalled his career by quoting a scene from his favorite novel, The Catcher in the Rye, where the protagonist Holden Caulfield explains his dream to his younger sister Phoebe, saying, "Caulfield did what he wanted to do." He added, "Looking back as I wrap up, I think I chose a very good profession," and expressed gratitude to everyone who helped him during his shortcomings.

Kim Sehan (47, class 31), head of the Criminal Division 2 at the Anyang Branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, also posted a resignation message on I-PROS that day, saying, "I am leaving during a difficult time for the prosecution in many ways," and "Even after leaving, I will always support the prosecution."

Shin Seunghui (49, class 30), head of the Criminal Division 2 at the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, also left a farewell message on I-PROS, stating, "I am naturally slow-witted and after much contemplation, I am now stepping down," and "I lacked the ability to fulfill the calling and mission as a prosecutor." Shin submitted her resignation after being assigned to a non-investigative position as the Human Rights Supervisor at the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office in this reshuffle.

Kim Wooseok (46, class 31), chief of the Jeongeup Branch of the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office, who criticized the Ministry of Justice's prosecution system reform plan, posted his resignation on I-PROS the day before. Additionally, Jeong Sunsin (54, class 27), director of the Yongin branch of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, also submitted a resignation to the Ministry of Justice after being assigned as a prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office the day before. He served as deputy public relations officer at the Special Investigation Headquarters for the 'Park Geun-hye?Choi Soon-sil Gate' during his tenure as head of the Criminal Division 7 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in 2017.

Prior to them, seven prosecutors including Lee Seonwook (50, class 27), deputy chief of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office; Jeon Seongwon (49, class 27), chief of the Bucheon Branch of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office; Kim Namwoo (51, class 28), deputy chief of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office; Kim Younggi (50, class 30), head of the Criminal Division 3 at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office; and Lee Geonryeong (49, class 31), head of the Public Security Investigation Support Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, submitted their resignations and were dismissed from their positions.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.