Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho stated on the 12th that he “cannot understand” the resignation of Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, who expressed his intention to step down after facing internal criticism from the prosecution following the decision to drop the appeal in the ‘Daejang-dong development corruption case.’
At the plenary session of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Minister Jeong remarked, “If there was such determination, shouldn’t one have requested the minister’s directive in writing?” indicating his incomprehension.
During the plenary session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, Minister Jeong asserted, “I have never opposed the appeal,” refuting allegations that the prosecution was pressured by the Ministry of Justice before deciding to drop the appeal in the Daejang-dong case.
When asked about any instructions given to Vice Minister Lee Jin-soo, Minister Jeong said, “I simply mentioned the need for careful consideration, given the heavy sentence,” emphasizing the importance of respecting the prosecution’s opinions while leaving the responsibility and decision-making to them.
Vice Minister Lee admitted at the National Assembly judiciary committee’s subcommittee on budget and fund reviews, “It is true that I called Deputy Chief Noh Man-seok,” adding, “I made one call to convey Minister Jeong’s ‘cautious opinion’ on the appeal.”
He further clarified, “During the call, I explicitly stated that this was about prior consultation and coordination, not an exercise of directive authority over investigations,” emphasizing that no intervention should occur without following official procedures.
According to the Prosecutors’ Office Act, the Justice Minister generally oversees and directs prosecutors, but can only direct and supervise the Prosecutor General over specific cases.
A notable case of exercising investigative supervision occurred in October 2005, when then-Justice Minister Chun Jung-bae ordered a non-detention investigation against former Dongguk University professor Kang Jeong-gu, who was under investigation for National Security Law violations. Then-Prosecutor General Kim Jong-bin accepted the directive and submitted his resignation. Other instances of exercising investigative supervision were by former Ministers Chu Mi-ae and Park Beom-kye.
Meanwhile, Minister Jeong also stated, “There are claims of human rights abuses or illegal and unjust actions during the (Daejang-dong) investigation process,” and proposed that “a separate investigation should be conducted.”
Additionally, Minister Jeong commented, “It is undesirable for the highest-ranking officials in the prosecution, especially frontline chief prosecutors, to collectively express opinions,” and assured that he will “closely observe and appropriately take necessary actions.”