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Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung. / Source: Yonhap News

A wave of shock hit South Korea’s legal and judicial circles on May 21 as Lee Chang-soo, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, and Cho Sang-won, the office’s fourth deputy chief, simultaneously submitted their resignations. The move has fueled speculation of a widening rift between prosecutors and the current administration, with critics pointing to a disputed reinvestigation into the controversial Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case.

While the official explanation cited health concerns, insiders say Lee’s resignation was a protest against the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office’s decision to reopen the Deutsche Motors probe involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee — a case previously closed without charges after direct questioning.

The resignation letters are reportedly effective on June 2, the eve of South Korea’s 21st presidential election. The simultaneous departure of two top officials has raised concerns that key investigations will be disrupted, accelerating discontent and instability within the prosecution.

Lee and Cho had both been involved in previous investigations of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, and were targets of an impeachment motion initiated by opposition lawmakers. Some in the legal community believe the resignations were a preemptive step to avoid potential retaliation such as disciplinary inspections, special counsel probes, or politically motivated transfers under a new administration.

Jung Joon-gil, a former prosecutor and current managing attorney at a law firm, said, “Formally, they are showing respect to the high prosecutors’ decision, but in reality, this is a protest against a reversal influenced by political pressure.”

He added, “This reinvestigation cannot be seen as part of a standard prosecutorial appeal process. It looks more like a political maneuver.”

If Lee’s resignation is accepted, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office will once again operate under interim leadership. Observers worry that the morale within the office is already low due to a combination of senior resignations, legislative proposals from the Democratic Party to dismantle the prosecution, and growing internal fatigue.

One legal expert commented, “When even the leadership walks away, how are rank-and-file prosecutors supposed to hold the line? The collapse of the prosecution may just be a matter of time.”

Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung swiftly responded, seeking to calm the unrest. Speaking to reporters on his way to work that morning, Shim said, “The prosecution will carry out its duties without wavering under any circumstances. As prosecutor general, I will provide firm leadership to the front lines.”