Blue House says Jung Sung-ho did not express intent to resign; on abolishing supplementary investigation rights, it says it respects the National Assembly's decision

[Financial News Seoul and Brasilia, Brazil = Sung Seok-woo, Choi Jong-geun] The Blue House said on the 26th (local time) that there has been no official confirmation regarding whether Jung Sung-ho, Minister of Justice, has expressed his intent to resign. It also said there has been no new discussion beyond its existing stance that it would respect the National Assembly's decision, even as the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is expected to push a bill to abolish prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights at the plenary session on the 30th.
A Blue House official said in response to questions about Jung's future that "there has been no official confirmation of the Minister of Justice's resignation" and that "it is not true that he expressed an intent to resign."
At a full session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea on the same day, Jung said about his future, "New wine should be put into new wineskins," prompting interpretations that he was indirectly signaling his resignation.
Jung said, "Once the Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency launch on October 2, I believe 95% of prosecution reform will have been achieved." He added, "Because prosecution reform has largely been completed in broad terms, I have held the view that new wine should be put into new wineskins since before the announcement to abolish supplementary investigation rights." He also said his health was not good and that he had been "consulting with people around the President."
When asked whether Jung had directly conveyed his resignation to the Blue House, the official again said, "There has been no official confirmation of the Minister of Justice's resignation," adding that "what has been reported in many outlets is not true."
Asked whether the Blue House would maintain its existing position as the DPK plans to handle the bill to abolish supplementary investigation rights at the plenary session on the 30th, the official said, "Because this is a question based on several assumptions, it is difficult to answer," and added, "There has not yet been any discussion on this matter."
The official then explained, "As I said before, whatever decision the National Assembly makes, we will respect it," and added, "There has been no new discussion from the position that we will prepare measures and make improvements for any issues that arise afterward."
The Blue House also drew a line on the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle. The official said, "There is still no set schedule or anticipated situation for a reshuffle," adding, "When the time comes to make an announcement, we will let the press know."
[email protected] Sung Seok-woo, Choi Jong-geun Reporter