Cheong Wa Dae on Controversy Over Justice Minister's Resignation: "It's Not a Position You Can Leave Just Because You Want To"

▲ Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho

Regarding the controversy surrounding Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho's intention to resign, Sung Ki-hong, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Communication, stated, "Public office is not something you can take on just because you want to, nor is it a position you can step down from simply because you wish to." He added, "In that regard, Minister Jung will likely consider various factors."

Appearing on SBS News Briefing today (the 29th), Senior Secretary Sung Ki-hong made the remarks, noting, "The matter of expressing an intention to resign has not been officially received."

Previously, Justice Minister Jung told media outlets that he had "nothing left to do and no will left," indicating he had expressed his intent to resign through a Cheong Wa Dae aide. He then seemingly reconfirmed this at the National Assembly on the 27th by stating, "Shouldn't new wine be put into new wineskins?"

Minister Jung's move to resign drew political attention as its timing coincided with the Democratic Party finalizing the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights as a party platform. However, Cheong Wa Dae has repeatedly emphasized that Minister Jung has never officially tendered his resignation.

Cheong Wa Dae's emphasis today on the "launch and stabilization of the Prosecution Service" as Minister Jung's role is interpreted as a move to highlight his duties as Justice Minister and once again draw a line against speculations of his resignation.

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