(LEAD) Lee accepts justice minister's resignation: presidential spokesperson

President Lee Jae Myung has accepted the resignation of Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, a presidential spokesperson announced on Monday, a week after the minister offered to step down. According to Kang Yu-jung, the presidential spokesperson, Lee expressed difficulty in continuing his duties due to deteriorating health. The government intends to appoint Jung's successor swiftly to prevent any disruption to state administration, added Kang.

Jung tendered his resignation last week, citing the completion of a prosecution reform bill and health concerns. The new legislation would completely remove prosecutors' investigative authority, transferring it entirely to the police. With Jung's departure, two ministerial positions are now vacant - the post of Justice Minister and the position of Minister for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which was left vacant by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook.