Seoul Prosecutor Chief Confronts Appeal Backlash, Promises Stability

Chief Prosecutor Park Cheol-woo, who is accused of being involved in the prosecution's choice to drop the appeal in the "Daejang-do...

Chief Prosecutor Park Cheol-woo, who is accused of being involved in the prosecution's choice to drop the appeal in the "Daejang-dong case," mentioned during his first speech on the 21st, “Let us start by examining situations where fairness in the use of investigative power has been called into question.” On current prosecution reforms, he noted, “Although the criminal justice system may evolve, the prosecution’s core responsibility to safeguard the public from crime must remain unchanged.”

Park, the newly appointed head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, made these comments during his inauguration ceremony at 10 a.m. on that day. He stated, "I feel a significant burden of responsibility in assuming the position of chief prosecutor during such a challenging period." He further mentioned, "Prosecutors are fully conscious that they cannot escape public scrutiny because of the nature of their job. Yet, there has never been a time when the dedication we have given to our work felt so entirely rejected, resulting in a deep sense of loss and self-disgust."

He acknowledged, "I, too, can't deny feeling injured. The way we address this will differ, as the prosecution isn't a single body, and every member has their own opinions and approaches."

Park highlighted the importance of the prosecution maintaining a thoughtful approach. He stated, “Let us begin by considering any behavior that might have unintentionally come across as arrogant. This is not about pointing fingers but about reviewing whether we have missed any flaws or oversteps in our actions.”

He also spoke about the upcoming dissolution of the prosecution office. "Major changes to the structure and roles of the prosecution are coming," he stated. "I will collaborate with each member of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office to make sure that the skills and principles developed over 78 years of serving the public are not lost but keep evolving."

Approximately 8:55 a.m. on that day, while traveling to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Park addressed journalists' inquiries regarding internal resistance to his appointment as chief prosecutor amidst the controversy surrounding the abandonment of appeals. He stated, "I completely understand the members' dissatisfaction. I will strive to maintain stability within the organization and listen to and respect various perspectives."

In response to calls from the Democratic Party of Korea and other governing parties for the punishment of 18 prosecutors who expressed opposition to his appointment, Park remarked, "I hope the political community will fully comprehend the circumstances." Regarding the matter of returning assets to private developers, which the prosecution had confiscated as part of preservation efforts but now needs to return due to the abandoned appeal, he said, "I will review the reports from the relevant department, examine the issue, and make every effort to handle it properly."

As per the investigation and trial team handling the Daejang-dong case, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office opted to appeal the initial court decision that acquitted private developers involved in the case on the 31st of last month. Nevertheless, Park Cheol-woo, who was then the head of the Anti-Corruption Division at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, reportedly advised them on the evening of the 7th—the final day to submit an appeal—to "reconsider," thereby preventing the appeal from proceeding.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office eventually decided not to file an appeal, and then-Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-woo announced his intention to resign on the 8th, accepting responsibility for not pursuing the appeal. Noh Man-seok, former acting prosecutor general and deputy chief prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (head of the high prosecutor's office), also resigned on the 14th.

The Ministry of Justice announced on the 19th that Park Cheol-woo, who was previously in charge of the Anti-Corruption Division at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, would take up the role of chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. This decision led to internal criticism, as the individual directly involved in the withdrawal of the appeal was appointed to head the office.

During a phone conversation with this newspaper, Park stated, "Although I did speak with Lee Jun-ho, the fourth head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, about the appeal, I did not tell him to drop it."