Acting Prosecutor General Warns "Public Will Bear the Cost of Abolishing Supplementary Investigative Authority"... Attention on the Future of Justice Ministry and Prosecution Leadership (Comprehensive)

Statement Issued During Leave... Urges Careful Deliberation in the National Assembly

Ruling Party to Process Criminal Procedure Act Amendment in Plenary Session on the 30th

Amid Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho’s Offer to Resign,

Speculation Grows Over Acting Prosecutor General Gu Jahyun’s Position After Bill Passage

With the dissolution of the Prosecution Service scheduled for October approaching, uncertainty surrounding the future of the leaders at the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution is growing, causing unease within the organization. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho has repeatedly expressed his intention to resign, while Gu Jahyun, Acting Prosecutor General, has publicly voiced concerns regarding the abolition of the prosecutor’s supplementary investigative authority. Within and outside the prosecution, there is speculation that Acting Chief Gu may make a decision about his position after the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act is processed.

Gu Ja-hyun, Acting Prosecutor General, is announcing a joint statement by the prosecution and police on strict response to fake news including AI misuse at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on February 26, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

On July 29, Acting Prosecutor General Gu issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over the discussions to revise the Criminal Procedure Act, including abolishing the prosecutor’s supplementary investigative authority. He stated, “If the prosecutor’s oversight, supplementation, and correction functions regarding the investigations by primary investigative agencies disappear, the entire criminal justice system will collapse, and the ensuing damage will be borne by the public.”

Although Acting Chief Gu began his scheduled three-day summer leave on July 27, he shared his views in advance of the plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. He emphasized, “Institutional reform should not merely be about removing the prosecution’s authority, but must be implemented in a way that protects the public from crime,” urging the National Assembly to engage in careful deliberation.

The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act abolishing the prosecutor’s supplementary investigative authority passed the First Subcommittee on Bill Review of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the National Assembly the previous day, led by the Democratic Party of Korea. The Democratic Party plans to push the bill through the plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee later on July 29 and through the main session of the National Assembly on July 30.

Within the prosecution, there are predictions that Acting Chief Gu may reconsider his position after the bill is finally passed. One incumbent prosecutor remarked, “Common sense suggests that the head of the prosecution cannot simply remain passive,” adding, “With little time left before the launch of the Public Prosecution Office, there may not be a major difference between the current acting chief and any potential successor.”

Justice Minister Jung is also reported to have recently offered his resignation to President Lee Jaemyung, but his offer was declined. Minister Jung explained that his intention to step down was based on the completion of the overall framework for prosecutorial reform, clarifying that his decision was not in response to the abolition of the supplementary investigative authority.

Jeong Seongho, Minister of Justice, is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 28th, listening to the remarks of the Minister of Health and Welfare. July 28, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

If both leaders step down simultaneously, the leadership vacuum at the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution would coincide just as they are expected to oversee the transition to the new criminal justice system. The burden of implementing subsequent measures, such as revising enforcement ordinances, reorganizing structures and personnel, and establishing criteria for case transfers, would also grow heavier.

Some speculate, however, that Acting Chief Gu might remain in his position until the launch of the Public Prosecution Office. During the parliamentary inquiry on “fabricated indictments” in April, he also considered resignation but remained for organizational stability. At this time, stepping down could lead to greater confusion during the process of selecting a successor, so he may determine it is better to stay through the establishment of the new office.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.