Why did Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho resign after the prosecution reform bill passed?

Jung said he was stepping down because he had completed the legislation of the prosecution reform bill and was also dealing with health issues. President Lee later accepted his resignation after Jung said his health made it difficult to continue his duties.

What does Korea's prosecution reform law change about prosecutors' powers?

Under the legislation, prosecutors will be completely stripped of their investigative authority. Investigative powers will be placed entirely in the hands of the police.

What government posts are vacant after Jung Sung-ho's resignation?

With Jung’s departure, two ministerial seats are vacant. One is the justice minister post, and the other is the minister for small and medium-sized enterprises post, which was vacated by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook.

Lee accepts justice minister's resignation: presidential spokesperson

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung has accepted Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho’s resignation, a presidential spokesperson said Monday, a week after Jung offered to step down. Jung cited deteriorating health and the completion of prosecution reform legislation. The government plans to appoint his successor promptly to avoid disruption to state administration. Two ministerial posts are now vacant, including the small and medium-sized enterprises minister post.

Key Facts

Jung submitted his resignation last week, citing both health issues and the completed legislation of a prosecution reform bill.
The reform law strips prosecutors of their investigative authority and leaves investigative powers entirely to the police.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the government plans to appoint Jung’s successor promptly to avoid any disruption to state administration.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 24, 2026 4:35 pm KST
Updated Aug 24, 2026 5:06 pm KST

Former Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, whose resignation was accepted by President Lee Jae Myung on Monday, is seen leaving the Ministry of Justice in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung has accepted Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho's resignation, a presidential spokesperson said Monday, a week after the minister offered to step down.

"President Lee accepted Minister Jung Sung-ho's resignation, as he expressed difficulty in continuing to carry out his duties due to deteriorating health," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.

The government plans to appoint Jung's successor promptly to avoid any disruption to state administration, Kang added.

Jung submitted his resignation last week, citing the completed legislation of a prosecution reform bill, as well as health issues.

Under the legislation, prosecutors will be completely stripped of their investigative authority, leaving investigative powers entirely in the hands of the police.

With Jung's departure, two ministerial seats are now vacant, including the post of minister for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which was vacated by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook.

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