정성호 사직서 제출…청 “후속 인사 때까지 역할 다해줄 것 당부”

Former Law Minister Jong Hyuk announced his resignation on the 18th through a formal letter, potentially accelerating the timeline for President Lee Myung-bak's second term government. Jong Hyuk submitted his resignation to the Blue House via the Office for Personnel Innovations, citing health concerns and the recent legislative completion of the Criminal Procedure Law amendment.

During a press conference, Jong Hyuk expressed his intention to have the Blue House "quickly rectify" the issues arising from the legislative process, stating, "I have been expressing my intention to resign for a long time; therefore, I believe that a swift response is warranted." He emphasized that if Jong Hyuk continues to hold his position after resigning, it could lead to organizational instability.

This official resignation marks a shift towards a personnel transition system, potentially reducing the likelihood of a temporary appointment. Internal discussions within the Blue House suggested that Jong Hyuk would need to retain his role until the establishment of the Major Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Small Claims Court, set to commence on October 2nd.

The impending legislative audit and the difficulty in identifying a successor added to the reasons for Jong Hyuk's formal resignation on the 21st, despite President Lee Myung-bak's recent plea to "stay strong." The end of the ruling party's central committee meeting and the arrival of the new leadership also contributed to the increased likelihood of restructuring work.