Justice minister submits resignation letter after passage of prosecution reform bill
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho submitted his resignation letter to Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday, sources said, citing the completion of legislation on stripping the prosecution of investigative authority. In the letter also submitted to the Ministry of Personnel Management, Jung reportedly cited health issues in addition to the legislation's recent passage, saying the new criminal justice system…
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho tendered his resignation to Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday, according to sources. The bill that prompted his resignation was one that removed the prosecution's power to conduct supplementary investigations, sources said. In his letter, Jung cited both the passage of the legislation and his health as reasons for his resignation, stating that a new criminal justice system should come under new leadership, sources reported.
The minister had previously raised concerns about the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which took away the prosecution's ability to conduct additional investigations if police work was insufficient, leaving it with primarily the power to indict. Shortly after the bill passed, Jung told reporters that the new system might necessitate further revisions if it poses additional risks or fails to adequately protect crime victims.
Jung had previously indicated his intention to resign, a move that was reportedly discouraged or rejected by President Lee Jae Myung.
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