Process begins to select Lee administration's 1st prosecutor general

On October 13, the Lee Jae Myung administration commenced the process of appointing South Korea's inaugural prosecutor general, a position that has remained unfilled for a period of one year and three months. The justice ministry unveiled a nine-member committee, including a chairperson, tasked with recommending suitable candidates for the prosecutor general's office, in accordance with the relevant legislation.

Moon Moo-il, the former prosecutor general who served under the Moon Jae-in administration, has been appointed as the chairperson of this committee. The vacancy arose following the resignation of Shim Woo-jung, who was appointed by the previous president, Yoon Suk Yeol, in July of the previous year.

The newly appointed prosecutor general will preside over the Prosecution Service, which was established on October 2 as part of recent reform measures aimed at reducing the autonomy of prosecutors in investigative matters. The prosecutor general will serve a term of two years, mirroring the previous tenure. The justice ministry will receive public recommendations for candidates over the course of eight days, commencing from Wednesday.

Candidates must possess a minimum of 15 years of experience within the legal profession. The committee will subsequently assess the candidates' qualifications and propose three individuals to the justice minister, who will ultimately select the individual to be recommended to President Lee Jae Myung.