Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho Submits Resignation: "More Work to Be Done in the National Assembly"

Regarding his submission of a resignation letter today (18th), Minister of Justice Chung Sung-ho stated, "I will have much more work to do in the National Assembly, such as swiftly correcting issues that emerged during the party's integration and the revision process of the Criminal Procedure Act."

Speaking to reporters on his way home in front of the Government Complex Gwacheon, Minister Chung said, "The revised Criminal Procedure Act has been passed, and the launch of the Prosecution Service is merely a change of signboards unlike the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, so my role there is not significant."

Chung added, "I have already expressed my intention to resign for a long time, and I expect it to be processed promptly," noting that "the Ministry of Justice will be able to carry out its routine duties centered around the Vice Minister."

Asked whether the recent Democratic Party national convention influenced his resignation, he replied, "I delayed submitting my resignation because arguments over the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act and prosecution reform raised during the convention convention risked becoming major issues tied to the Minister's future."

Earlier in the day, Minister Chung submitted his resignation to the Cheong Wa Dae and the Ministry of Personnel Management.

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

Senior Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung stated during a briefing, "Minister Chung has requested to be relieved of his duties due to health reasons," adding, "Minister Chung has faithfully fulfilled his role in response to public demands."

She continued, "We have asked him to continue fulfilling his duties until follow-up measures such as a reshuffle are implemented."

Accordingly, Minister Chung is expected to remain in office until a cabinet reshuffle including the appointment of his successor takes place, continuing to handle pending Ministry of Justice issues and follow-up prosecution reform legislation, such as supplementing the Criminal Procedure Act.

Minister Chung has repeatedly expressed his intention to step down from the ministerial post.

During a full meeting of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 27th of last month, regarding his future, he remarked, "Since prosecution reform has been mostly completed, personally speaking, shouldn't new wine be put into new wineskins now?"

At the time, Cheong Wa Dae drew a line, stating it was "not an expression of intent to resign," and during a closed-door Cabinet meeting on the 4th, President Lee reportedly told Minister Chung to "do well and hang in there," leading to interpretations that he was effectively dissuading him from stepping down.

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