Top prosecutors demoted after Daejang-dong backlash

Jan 23, 2026, 07:57 am

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Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho speaks at the second ruling party–government meeting on rationalizing civil liability for economic crimes at the National Assembly on Dec. 30. / Yonhap

Senior prosecutors who opposed the prosecution’s decision to withdraw an appeal in the Daejang-dong case were demoted in a high-level reshuffle announced on Jan. 22, fueling claims of punitive transfers ahead of the planned abolition of the prosecution later this year.

The Ministry of Justice reassigned several prosecutor generals who had signed a collective statement criticizing the appeal withdrawal to research fellow posts at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, a unit widely regarded within the service as a posting for sidelined officials. Park Young-bin, head of the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office, tendered his resignation immediately after the announcement. Others, including Yoon Byung-joon, Shin Dong-won and Lee Dong-gyun, were also reported to have offered to resign, raising the prospect of a wave of departures.

The ministry said it reshuffled 32 prosecutor generals—seven promotions and 25 transfers—marking the first major senior personnel move in about six months since the current administration took office. The appointments take effect on Jan. 27.

Among those reassigned were Park Hyun-joon, Park Young-bin, Yoo Do-yoon and Jung Soo-jin, all of whom had publicly objected to the appeal withdrawal last November. Additional senior officials, including Jang Dong-cheol, Kim Hyung-seok and Choi Young-ah, were also moved to the institute.

The research fellow role is often described as an “exile” post, and critics say it has repeatedly been used by successive governments to penalize prosecutors seen as hostile to the administration. Ahead of the reshuffle, the ministry expanded the number of research fellow slots from 12 to 23, signaling large-scale demotions.

Defending the move, the ministry said the reshuffle was designed “to stably advance prosecution reform, including the transition to a public prosecution office, and to enable prosecutors to focus on their core duties,” adding that appointments were made after a comprehensive review of performance, expertise, leadership and trust.

Several promotions were also announced. Park Jin-sung was named planning chief at the training institute, while Lee Jung-ryeol was promoted to head the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office. Other senior posts at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office were filled as part of a broader leadership overhaul.

The reshuffle comes as the government presses ahead with sweeping changes to the prosecution, intensifying debate over whether dissent within the service is being systematically marginalized.

#prosecutors reshuffle #Ministry of Justice #Daejang-dong appeal withdrawal