1

Lee Chang-soo, chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, and Cho Sang-won, its fourth deputy chief, have tendered their resignations after previously clearing First Lady Kim Keon-hee of allegations in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case. The move comes just two months after the Constitutional Court rejected their impeachment and allowed them to return to duty.

According to legal sources on May 20, both Lee and Cho submitted their resignation letters to the Ministry of Justice that afternoon, citing health reasons. Cho later told reporters, “The impeachment ordeal was extremely difficult,” adding that their decisions to resign were made independently. Lee reportedly expressed his intent to remain in office until the eve of the presidential election to ensure a smooth transition.

Both prosecutors had overseen the controversial investigation into stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, which resulted in a decision not to indict First Lady Kim. Their exoneration of Kim led to their impeachment by the National Assembly, but the Constitutional Court dismissed the motion in March.

Sources say the extended suspension from duty caused significant physical and emotional strain. Some within the legal community speculate that the resignations may have been triggered by the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office’s decision in April to reopen the investigation into Kim Keon-hee, just a month after Lee and Cho resumed their posts.

Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung had previously told lawmakers that he would intervene if an appeal were filed over the non-indictment decision.

Whether their resignations will be accepted rests with the Ministry of Justice. If both departures are confirmed, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office could face serious disruption. Lee and Cho were leading several high-profile cases, including trials related to the Daejang-dong, Wirye, Baekhyeon-dong, and Seongnam FC scandals, as well as investigations into alleged bribery at the Democratic Party convention and political interference by Myung Tae-kyun.