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The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho District, Seoul, is seen on June 12, a day after the Democratic Party announced plans to file a complaint over alleged favoritism in the hiring of Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung’s daughter. / Source: Yonhap News

With the ruling party pushing forward sweeping reforms to abolish the prosecution service and separate investigative and indictment powers, speculation is mounting over an imminent shake-up of key prosecutorial positions — a move widely interpreted as pressure on Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung to step down.

Despite having more than a year left in his term, Shim — appointed in September 2024 under the previous Yoon Suk-yeol administration — now faces mounting calls to resign. Observers suggest he could become a “lame duck” and be forced out before his tenure ends in September 2026.

The reform legislation, submitted on June 11, calls for dismantling the prosecution office and establishing new bodies: the Office of Public Prosecution, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, and the National Investigation Commission. This has reignited debate over Shim’s position, especially after the Democratic Party announced plans to file a formal complaint over alleged nepotism involving Shim’s daughter.

Democratic lawmaker Han Jeong-ae claimed that Shim’s daughter was unfairly hired as a contract researcher at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. The Democratic Party is expected to refer the case to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

Legal experts point out that although Shim might technically serve out his term, he could face the same fate as his predecessor Lee One-seok, who was marginalized during a reshuffle of the prosecution leadership in May last year. That shake-up sidelined six of eight top prosecutors, including investigators in high-profile cases involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee. At the time, Lee abruptly returned to Seoul from a scheduled trip, signaling a breakdown in communication between the Justice Ministry and the prosecutor general.

Currently, the post of Seoul Central District Prosecutor remains vacant following Lee Chang-soo’s recent resignation, further fueling expectations of a sweeping personnel overhaul.

Some in the legal community argue that Shim’s term should be protected to preserve prosecutorial independence. Of the 24 prosecutors general appointed since fixed terms were introduced in 1988, only nine have completed their full two-year term.

“A fixed term and no reappointment for the prosecutor general exist to emphasize the importance of this role and prevent political interference,” said one former prosecutor. “This is not a post that should be replaced every time there’s a change in administration.”

He added, “As for the alleged nepotism case, we must first determine whether there was any improper influence. We must not repeat the practice of undermining the tenure of those appointed by the previous administration without just cause.”