KB News Desk
Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho’s resignation has been confirmed, weeks after the liberal bloc pushed through a controversial overhaul of the criminal justice system that strips the prosecution of its investigative powers without exception.
According to Cheong Wa Dae chief spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on Monday, President Lee Jae Myung accepted Jung’s resignation after the minister cited health issues that he said had left him unable to continue his duties.
Kang added that Jung’s successor would be “swiftly nominated” to minimize any impact on state affairs.
The announcement comes a week after Jung submitted his resignation to the presidential office. Media reports had speculated that his departure from the Cabinet would be confirmed only after his successor was nominated.
With Jung’s departure, the Justice Ministry and the prosecution under its supervision are facing a leadership vacuum. The prosecution is set to become an organization solely dedicated to indictments in October, and a new agency responsible for criminal investigations will be launched under the Interior Ministry that month.
Following Lee’s acceptance of his resignation, Jung will return to the National Assembly and resume his duties as a five-term lawmaker.
Jung disclosed health issues, including a sleep disorder, in late July during an appearance at a general meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly.
The National Assembly, where the liberal Democratic Party of Korea holds a firm majority, has over the past year moved to pass bills that would split the prosecution into two bodies, transfer investigative authority to police and a new agency without indictment powers and bar prosecutors from conducting supplementary investigations into cases initially handled by police.
