Acting Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo Tendered Resignation Three Months Ago

It has belatedly been learned that Vice Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo, who is currently serving as acting justice minister, offered to resign three months ago.

According to legal circles, Vice Minister Lee submitted his resignation around late July due to health issues, as the Democratic Party of Korea pushed to pass a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act stripping prosecutors of their supplementary investigation powers at the National Assembly plenary session.

At the time, Vice Minister Lee repeatedly voiced opposition to the abolition of supplementary investigation powers, stating, "If supplementary investigation powers are abolished without effective alternatives, a vacuum in remedy for crime victims is inevitable."

However, it was learned that out of concern that the Ministry of Justice should not operate under an "acting-for-the-acting" system, he submitted a "conditional resignation," stating he would remain in office only until the next minister is appointed.

Former Minister Chung Sung-ho tendered his resignation in late July after the Democratic Party adopted the complete abolition of supplementary investigation powers as a party platform, and left office on August 26.

Former Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun also submitted his resignation on July 31, the day the Criminal Procedure Act revision passed.

It was learned that Vice Minister Lee had previously stated he would not participate in subsequent screening procedures even if nominated as a candidate for prosecutor general, while also conveying his intent to step down as vice minister.

Vice Minister Lee's resignation is expected to be accepted as soon as the next justice minister takes office.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.