President Lee Orders Revisions to Public Prosecution Office Plan, Raises Concerns Over Prosecutor Quota and Judicial Control Division

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung has ordered revisions and additions to the Ministry of Justice's recently drafted legislation on the organizational structure of the Public Prosecution Office and its affiliated agencies, as well as the Enforcement Decree of the Prosecutor Quota Act, saying the proposals were insufficient. He also reportedly said that the name “Judicial Control Division” was inappropriate.
After returning from his state visit to France on the 10th, President Lee headed straight to Cheong Wa Dae, where he received a briefing on pending issues.
At the meeting, Lee reportedly pointed out that the government's review had not been sufficiently thorough, particularly in determining the number of prosecutors, the organizational structure, and the names of departments.
Under the government proposal, the Public Prosecution Office would have a total workforce of 8,412, including 2,292 prosecutors and 6,120 general-service personnel. Although the total workforce would be reduced by approximately 20% from the current level, the number of prosecutors would remain unchanged.
Critics within the ruling bloc have questioned whether keeping the number of prosecutors unchanged while converting the Prosecutors' Office into the Public Prosecution Office is consistent with the purpose of the reform. Lee reportedly expressed the view that the figure should be newly calculated after the Public Prosecution Office is launched, rather than simply using the number stipulated in the existing Prosecutor Quota Act as the basis.
Lee also reportedly said it was inappropriate to call the department that reviews cases in which police have decided not to refer suspects for prosecution the “Judicial Control Division.”
Lee ordered revisions and additions to the relevant provisions, including the staffing levels, organizational structure, and names. Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice is expected to begin another review.

[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter