Yoon names ex-chief of Seoul High Prosecutors Office as new justice minister
Justice Minister nominee Park Sung-jae speaks at a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Jan. 23. Newsis
President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday named a former chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors Office as the new justice minister, his office said.
Park Sung-jae, a lawyer who retired from the prosecution in 2017 after serving in the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office and the Seoul High Prosecutors Office, was tapped to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon last month, according to presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup.
Park, a graduate of the Korea University School of Law, is known for having carried out his duties with principle and perseverance, based on strict fairness and a strong sense of responsibility, Lee said during a press briefing at the presidential office.
"We determined that he is the right person to carry on the criminal and judicial reforms pushed by the Yoon government, and realize the Constitutional values in judicial administration," he said.
By law, all Cabinet ministers are subject to a parliamentary confirmation process, though the consent of the National Assembly is not necessary for appointment.
Park told reporters at the briefing that if appointed, he will do his best to fairly execute the law, and protect the people's safety and human rights. (Yonhap)