Justice Minister Seongho Jung Submits Resignation... "Prosecution Reform Legislation Complete, New Leadership Needed"

"Completion of the New Criminal Justice System under New Leadership"
Vice Minister Jinsoo Lee to Serve as Acting Justice Minister if Resignation is Accepted

Justice Minister Seongho Jung submitted his resignation on August 18. It is reported that the completion of key legislation related to prosecution reform, as well as health issues, were among the reasons for his decision to resign.

Justice Minister Sung Seoho is lost in thought while attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 28th. July 28, 2026 Photo by Jo Yongjun

According to the legal community, Minister Jung submitted his resignation letter on the afternoon of the same day to both the Presidential Office and the Ministry of Personnel Management.

Minister Jung is said to have determined that since the major legislation related to prosecution reform has reached a conclusion, it would be desirable to complete the new criminal justice system under new leadership. Recently, health issues have also been cited as one of the reasons behind his decision to resign.

Minister Jung had made several public remarks about his position in recent days. When asked about his intention to resign at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on July 27, he replied, "New wine should be put in new wineskins."

At the time, the Presidential Office clarified Minister Jung’s remarks by stating, "They do not amount to an expression of intention to resign." During a closed Cabinet meeting on August 4, President Lee Jaemyung reportedly told Minister Jung, "Please hold on," leading to interpretations that the President was discouraging him from resigning.

If Minister Jung's resignation is accepted, Vice Minister Jinsoo Lee of the Ministry of Justice will take over as acting minister.

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