SEOUL, August 24 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Monday accepted the resignation of Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, who offered to step down about a week ago, citing worsening health.
During a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Lee accepted Jung's resignation and that the government would promptly name a successor to "avoid disruptions" in state affairs.
Jung, a close aide to Lee, submitted his resignation last Tuesday after publicly saying that health problems had made it difficult for him to carry out his duties. He said he had been suffering from severe sleep disorders and that the job had become a heavy burden.
His resignation comes shortly after the National Assembly passed a prosecution reform bill late last month, which effectively strips prosecutors of their remaining powers to conduct supplementary investigations when police investigations are deemed inadequate, leaving them responsible only for indictments.
The bill is part of the ruling Democratic Party (DP)'s broader push for judicial reform aimed at separating the roles of investigators and prosecutors, but critics argue that stripping prosecutors of their investigative powers could undermine efforts to uncover corruption and major crimes.
Apparently mindful of such potential ramifications, Jung said it would be better for a new chief to complete the process of building a new criminal justice system.
The next justice minister will be tasked with establishing a new investigative body to replace the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which is scheduled to be dissolved this fall.
Meanwhile, Vice Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo is expected to serve as acting justice minister until a successor is named.
AJP Takeaways
• President Lee Jae Myung accepted Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho's resignation on Monday, about a week after Jung offered to step down due to worsening health.
• Jung cited severe sleep disorders and the growing burden of his duties as reasons for his resignation.
• Jung's resignation follows the National Assembly's passage of a prosecution reform bill that removes prosecutors' remaining authority to conduct supplementary investigations.
• The next justice minister will oversee the establishment of a new investigative body to replace the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which is scheduled to be dissolved this fall.
• Vice Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo is expected to serve as acting justice minister until Lee Jae Myung appoints a successor.
During a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Lee accepted Jung's resignation and that the government would promptly name a successor to "avoid disruptions" in state affairs.
Jung, a close aide to Lee, submitted his resignation last Tuesday after publicly saying that health problems had made it difficult for him to carry out his duties. He said he had been suffering from severe sleep disorders and that the job had become a heavy burden.
His resignation comes shortly after the National Assembly passed a prosecution reform bill late last month, which effectively strips prosecutors of their remaining powers to conduct supplementary investigations when police investigations are deemed inadequate, leaving them responsible only for indictments.
The bill is part of the ruling Democratic Party (DP)'s broader push for judicial reform aimed at separating the roles of investigators and prosecutors, but critics argue that stripping prosecutors of their investigative powers could undermine efforts to uncover corruption and major crimes.
Apparently mindful of such potential ramifications, Jung said it would be better for a new chief to complete the process of building a new criminal justice system.
The next justice minister will be tasked with establishing a new investigative body to replace the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which is scheduled to be dissolved this fall.
Meanwhile, Vice Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo is expected to serve as acting justice minister until a successor is named.
AJP Takeaways
• President Lee Jae Myung accepted Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho's resignation on Monday, about a week after Jung offered to step down due to worsening health.
• Jung cited severe sleep disorders and the growing burden of his duties as reasons for his resignation.
• Jung's resignation follows the National Assembly's passage of a prosecution reform bill that removes prosecutors' remaining authority to conduct supplementary investigations.
• The next justice minister will oversee the establishment of a new investigative body to replace the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which is scheduled to be dissolved this fall.
• Vice Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo is expected to serve as acting justice minister until Lee Jae Myung appoints a successor.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.