Justice minister stresses stability of prosecution amid reported plans for disciplinary action

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho attends a session of the special committee on budget and accounts at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said Monday that stability within the prosecution is key as he addressed reports the government is preparing to punish senior prosecutors for their opposition to an appeal withdrawal in a case linked to President Lee Jae Myung.

Jung made the remark to reporters as he arrived for work at the justice ministry in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, when asked about reports his ministry is considering demoting 18 chiefs of district prosecutors offices over a statement they issued to protest a Nov. 7 decision to drop the appeal.

"What's most important is that the justice ministry and the prosecution are stabilized for the sake of the people," he said. "I'm thinking hard about what would be a good method."

When asked about concerns the demotions would lead to internal backlash, he answered, "I understand there's no particular activity of that kind."

The justice ministry has been reported to be considering reassigning the 18 senior prosecutors to rank-and-file positions, which would be seen as demoting them in practice, though not in legal terms.

In addition, the government is reportedly considering launching investigations or inspections into them.

The appeal was seen as standard practice after a court partially acquitted five suspects in a land development corruption case stemming from Lee's time as mayor of Seongnam.

The team of prosecutors handling the case did not file the appeal by the deadline, however, prompting suspicions the justice ministry intervened to minimize the suspects' accountability, and by extension, that of Lee.