Law professor to spearhead prosecution reform

Cho Kuk

By Kim Rahn

Moon Jae-in, new president of Korea, named Seoul National University professor Cho Kuk, 52, as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

It is rare for the post, in charge of personnel vetting and law enforcement affairs, to be filled with a non-prosecutor; Cho’s appointment is seen as strong will to reform the prosecution as he has long called for it.

Cho Hyun-ock, 61, a visiting professor at Ewha Womans University, was also appointed as senior secretary for personnel affairs. It was the first time for a woman to take the position.

Yoon Young-chan, former vice president of Naver, was tapped to senior secretary for public affairs. He worked at Moon’s camp as chief of its social media campaign division.