Investigation authority was granted to Lim Eun-jeong, a policy researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (department prosecutor). This is the result of an announcement by the Ministry of Justice on the 22nd of an interim greeting targeting prosecutors. There is an interpretation that it reflects the will of the Ministry of Justice to initiate full-scale inspection inside the prosecution.
Inside is Im Eun-jung, outside is Karate
On this day, the Ministry of Justice delivered a telegram to 18 high-level prosecutors. This greeting was a small’tweezer replacement’, such as filling up the seat of the 1st Vice President of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office, which had been vacant so far. All major investigative teams were left behind. Many of the pro-government officials mentioned in the media and those with opposition were also not listed. The Ministry of Justice emphasized that “I had enough communication with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office to hear opinions about the size of personnel and specific positions.”
The core of the day’s greeting was Prosecutor Lim Eun-jung. The Ministry of Justice gave him investigative powers, as Prosecutor Lim was appointed as the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutor Lim may conduct an internal inspection and, if it is determined that a specific person is suspicious, can directly file a suspect, proceed with an investigation, and write a complaint. This means that a substantial investigation into the prosecution has become possible.
In particular, as Prosecutor Lim is in charge of investigating allegations of perjury and coercion against former Prime Minister Han Myung-sook’s investigation team, there is a prospect that the investigation will begin in earnest.
At the general meeting of the National Assembly Legislative Judicial Committee held against the Ministry of Justice that day, the investigative power granted to Prosecutor Lim emerged as a major issue. Rep. Kim Do-eup said, “Isn’t it that (Im prosecutor) was issued to hand over the case of perjury teacher Han Myung-sook to the trial?” Pasted.
Minister Park responded, saying, “Prosecutor Im Eun-jung also hoped he would have the right to investigate,” and said, “Prosecutor Lim is not losing his sense of balance and style as a prosecutor.”
A large number of pro- and anti-government leaders remain
Meanwhile, Na Byeong-hoon, vice-president of the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office, was appointed as the 1st Deputy Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office. B. Prosecutor has a history of working as a dispatch prosecutor of the Military Net Accident Investigation Committee. Deputy Prosecutor Kim Yang-soo, who is known to be close to Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office, was mentioned as a candidate for the first vice-director, but Prosecutor Kim was not selected as a personnel target.
Im Kwan-hyuk, the head of the special investigation for the Sewol ferry, was transferred to the Gwangju High Prosecutor’s Office. When it was pointed out that Prosecutor Lim, who was involved in the trial in the case of Han Myung-sook, was criticized, the Ministry of Justice said that it was “a result of reflecting his wishes.”
There was no movement of prosecutors in charge of investigating major cases. Both Lee Jeong-seop, Suwon District Prosecutor’s Office, who is investigating the alleged illegal withdrawal of Kim Hak-eui, and Lee Sang-hyun, Daejeon District Prosecutor’s Office, who are investigating the suspicion of the Wolseong nuclear power plant, were both retained.
Byun Pil-gun, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office, was also not eligible for replacement. Prosecutor Byeon asked for the approval of Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon without charge in connection with the so-called prosecutors’ prosecutor’s office. In addition, Park Eun-jung, the prosecution officer of the Justice Department, and Kim Tae-hoon, the prosecutor’s chief of the Justice Department, who were known as pro-government tendencies and raised the possibility of a zero war, were also retired after breaking expectations.