Prosecutors General Face Demotion After Outcry Over Dropped Daejang-dong Appeal

The nation's prosecutors general publicly voiced opposition on the 14th to the decision to drop the appeal in the Daejang-dong development scandal. Eighteen regional prosecutors general released a joint statement on the internal prosecutors' network; Im Eun-jeong, head of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, and Kim Tae-hoon, head of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, did not participate. The government and the presidential office are considering legal action in response to the prosecutors general's collective action. The presidential office is conducting a legal review of whether the prosecutors general's actions violate the Prosecutors' Office Act and has stated its intention to respond according to legal standards.

The Democratic Party of Korea and civic groups are exploring various responses to the prosecutors general's actions. Democratic Party lawmakers have submitted amendments to the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Act to the National Assembly, and a civic group has filed a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) against the 18 prosecutors general for allegedly violating the National Public Service Act. Article 66 of the Prosecutors' Office Act prohibits collective action by public officials, and violations may result in disciplinary action. The government is expected to use this situation as an opportunity to strengthen the internal control system of the prosecution service and to develop measures to ensure the independence and political neutrality of the prosecution service.

Some criticize the prosecutors general's joint statement as undermining the independence of the prosecution service, while others defend it as raising concerns about the decision to drop the appeal. The incident has been assessed as revealing differences of opinion within the prosecution service and exacerbating the sense of crisis within the organization. The government has emphasized that it will respond in accordance with the law and principles and plans to develop measures to establish discipline in the public sector and strengthen public officials' obligation to maintain political neutrality. It also stated that it will focus on improving the transparency and accountability of the public sector by collecting public opinion.