'Daejang-dong Appeal Withdrawal Sparks Widespread Backlash... Collective Opposition from Chief Prosecutors, Branch Chiefs, and Rank-and-File Prosecutors

[Financial News] The controversy over the prosecution’s decision not to appeal the first-instance verdict in the Daejang-dong corruption case is rapidly spreading. Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho attempted to defuse the situation by stating, 'I advised careful consideration,' but chief prosecutors, branch chiefs, and rank-and-file prosecutors nationwide are pressing the leadership for a thorough explanation. It is rare for prosecutors at all levels to collectively oppose the leadership over a specific case.
On the 10th, on the internal prosecution network Epros, a statement titled 'Request for Further Explanation from Acting Prosecutor General (Noh Man-seok)' was posted under the names of 18 chief prosecutors, including Park Jae-eok of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, Park Hyun-jun of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, Park Young-bin of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, Park Hyun-chul of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, Seungcheol Lim of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, and Kim Chang-jin of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office.
The chief prosecutors stated, 'The Acting Prosecutor General received the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office’s opinion to appeal and also considered the Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) input. After comprehensively reviewing the ruling’s intent and content, the appeal criteria, and the case’s progress, he concluded that not filing an appeal was appropriate.' They explained that the statement was posted because 'the Acting Prosecutor General’s position did not include any specific details or legal rationale for the decision to forgo the appeal, making it difficult to accept.'
Branch chiefs leading eight major branches also issued a collective statement demanding a more detailed explanation from Acting Prosecutor General Noh regarding the circumstances of the appeal withdrawal. These are senior branch chiefs who oversee branches with deputy chief prosecutors (larger and more significant than those with only division chiefs).
Ha Dam-mi, chief of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Anyang Branch; Choi Haeng-gwan, chief of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office Dongbu Branch; Shin Dongwon, chief of the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office Western Branch; and Yong Seong-jin, chief of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office Suncheon Branch, stated on Epros, 'If the rationale behind the decision to forgo an appeal in the Daejang-dong case is not sufficiently explained, it will inflict irreparable and fatal damage on the values and raison d’être of the prosecution.'
They further emphasized, 'In this major corruption case that has drawn national attention for years, the unanimous opinion of the investigation and trial teams directly responsible for maintaining the prosecution was apparently not reflected at all, without any reasonable explanation.' They called for 'a convincing explanation from those in positions of responsibility and an attitude befitting their roles.'
It has also been reported that research prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, who are rank-and-file prosecutors, have gone a step further and agreed to recommend Acting Prosecutor General Noh’s resignation.
According to legal sources, they held a meeting the previous day and decided to deliver a statement to Acting Prosecutor General Noh demanding an accurate account of the facts regarding the appeal withdrawal decision, as well as a clear stance on his position. Research prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office are responsible for reviewing and researching prosecutorial systems and policy implementation according to each division’s function.
The reason both senior and junior prosecutors are directing their criticism at Acting Prosecutor General Noh is that his statements and those of Jeong Jin-woo, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, differ, making it difficult to ascertain the truth of the matter. In his statement, Noh explained the process of the appeal withdrawal decision, saying, 'As Acting Prosecutor General, I made the decision after careful consideration and consultation with the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.' However, Jeong Jin-woo, who has offered his resignation, immediately issued a rebuttal, stating, 'I tried to persuade the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office’s position, but was unable to do so.' Judging from their statements, Noh claims there was 'consultation,' while Jeong summarizes it as 'having no choice but to comply with instructions.'
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho, during a doorstep interview on his way to work, remarked, 'The chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and prosecutors should reflect sincerely. What did the prosecution do when Yoon Suk Yeol, former President of South Korea, was released from detention? Did any front-line prosecutor object? They did not.'
He added, 'It is because a tiny minority of political prosecutors—less than 1%—have been overly conscious of political winds in their investigations that public distrust has grown. Going forward, the best way to serve the public is for the prosecution to calmly and thoroughly fulfill its duties while seriously reflecting on its future direction.'


kyu0705@fnnews.com Kim Dong-gyu Reporter