Justice Minister Tenders Resignation Again: "New Wine in New Wineskins"

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho has once again expressed his intention to resign.

According to reports, Minister Jung submitted his resignation to the presidential office and the Ministry of Personnel Management on the afternoon of today (the 18th).

It is reported that Minister Jung cited health reasons in his resignation letter, along with the explanation that "major legislation related to prosecution reform has been wrapped up."

He also reportedly included the stance that "it is desirable for the new criminal justice system to be completed under new leadership."

Minister Jung has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of stepping down in public settings.

During a full meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on July 27, when asked about his intent to express his resignation, he replied, "Shouldn't new wine be put into new wineskins?"

However, the presidential office has drawn a line regarding Minister Jung's remarks, maintaining that it did not amount to an official expression of resignation.

During a closed-door Cabinet meeting on the 4th, President Lee Jae-myung reportedly told Minister Jung to "hang in there," leading to interpretations that the president was effectively dissuading him from stepping down.

With the minister in charge expressing his intention to step down right ahead of a massive overhaul of the criminal justice system, observers predict that changes to follow-up measures for prosecution reform and the subsequent reorganization process are inevitable.

When a cabinet member wishes to resign, a request for submission is commissioned to the Ministry of Personnel Management, and the resignation is officially accepted only when the president receives and approves it.

Should Minister Jung's resignation be accepted, Vice Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo will act as the head of the ministry.

(Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Ryu Jisoo | Graphics by Lee Sumin | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.