Why did Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho submit his resignation letter after the prosecution reform bill passed?

Jung cited the completion of legislation stripping the prosecution of investigative authority, along with health issues. He said the new criminal justice system should be completed under new leadership.

What powers did the Criminal Procedure Act revision remove from prosecutors?

The revision stripped prosecutors of their remaining authority to conduct supplementary investigations when police investigations are inadequate. After the change, prosecutors are left mainly with the ability to indict.

What did the presidential office say after Jung Sung-ho offered to resign?

The office said it asked him to stay in his post and continue carrying out his duties until a successor is named. It also said there was no immediate personnel reshuffle scheduled.

Justice minister offers to resign after passage of prosecution reform bill

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Summary

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho submitted his resignation letter to Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday after the passage of a bill stripping the prosecution of investigative authority. He also cited health issues and said the new criminal justice system should be completed under new leadership. The presidential office asked him to stay on until a successor is named and said no immediate reshuffle is planned.

Key Facts

The resignation letter was also submitted to the Ministry of Personnel Management.
The bill passed was a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act.
The revision stripped the prosecution of its remaining authority to conduct supplementary investigations when police investigations are inadequate.
Jung said the new system could need additional revisions if it causes further harm or inadequate protection for crime victims.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the presidential office asked Jung to remain in his post until his successor is named.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 18, 2026 3:32 pm KST
Updated Aug 18, 2026 5:53 pm KST

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho delivers a speech during a ceremony commemorating the Liberation Day in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho submitted his resignation letter to Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday, sources said, citing the completion of legislation on stripping the prosecution of investigative authority.

In the letter also submitted to the Ministry of Personnel Management, Jung reportedly cited health issues in addition to the legislation's recent passage, saying the new criminal justice system should be completed under new leadership, according to the sources.

The minister had expressed concerns about the revision to the Criminal Procedure Act, which stripped the prosecution of its remaining authority to conduct supplementary investigations in the event police investigations were inadequate, leaving it mainly with the ability to indict.

Shortly after the bill passed, he told reporters the new system could require additional revisions if it leads to further harm or inadequate protection for crime victims.

Jung had previously expressed his intention to resign, which reportedly was discouraged, if not rejected, by President Lee Jae Myung.

Confirming the minister's offer to resign, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the presidential office has asked him to remain in his post and to carry on with his duty until his successor is named. The spokesperson, however, noted there was no immediate personnel reshuffle scheduled.

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