The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, May 18, 2022 | 22:40
President Accepts Top Prosecutor’s Resignation
Posted : 2009-06-04 19:11
Updated : 2009-06-04 19:11
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

Lim Chae-jin
Outgoing Prosecutor General
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

Cheong Wa Dae has accepted Prosecutor General Lim Chae-jin's resignation, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said Thursday.

Vice Prosecutor General Moon Sung-woo is likely to take over the job until a replacement is installed, it continued, adding Lim will officially leave today.

The presidential office has begun the search for a replacement.

His resignation is expected to bring about a shakeup in key posts at the prosecution, including the head of the Central Investigation Department.

The department, now headed by Lee In-kyu, has been in charge of a months-long investigation of a bribery scandal involving aides and supporters of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, and President Lee Myung-bak.

With the leadership vacuum, the investigation of the bribery scandal surrounding Park Yeon-cha, former CEO of shoemaker Taekwang, is likely to go astray and remain unfocused.

Among candidates to succeed Lim are, Kwon Jae-jin, head of the Seoul High Public Prosecutors' Office; Moon Sung-woo, vice prosecutor general; and Myung Dong-sung, head of the Legal Research and Training Institute.

Justice Minister Kim Kyun-han told prosecutors that they should not be swayed by Lim's resignation and fulfill their duties without fail. Kim called on the prosecution to check whether there were any faulty practices in investigations and come up with countermeasures.

On Wednesday, the top prosecutor made it clear that he would quit the post, his second attempt to step down following one on May 23, which he withdrew in order to oversee the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.

``As leader of the corruption scandal investigation team, I deeply apologize for causing immeasurable grief to the people,'' said Lim before offering his second resignation. ``Amid various political scandals, we did our best to win public trust through a fair investigation, but have failed to meet expectations.''

People's distrust of the prosecution worsened following a court's refusal to issue an arrest warrant for Chun Shin-il, a tour agency CEO and close friend of President Lee. Chun is a key suspect in the high-profile corruption scandal involving aides of the late Roh and the incumbent President.

A senior prosecutor said, ``Amid growing public criticism of the prosecution following Roh's death, we sought Chun's arrest as one of a few ways to relieve the criticism. But regrettably the court rejected the request.''

``All have turned their backs on us,'' another prosecutor said, sighing.

Since Roh committed suicide in his hometown on May 23, the prosecution and Lim have been under public and media attacks for mounting what has been called a ``politically oriented-investigation'' of the ex head of state.

Roh's supporters and opposition political parties have called the ongoing probe a political vendetta by the governing camp.

Despite the simmering criticism, the chief prosecutor, appointed by Roh in 2007, kept his position in the belief that the prosecution had done what it had to do independently, and with enough evidence to arrest key suspects in the scandal, including Chun.

But the prosecutor's firm belief was shattered as the Seoul Central District Court refused to issue an arrest warrant for Chun, citing a lack of evidence.

``What has been presented to the court lacks sufficient evidence to prove the necessity of taking Chun into custody,'' said Judge Kim Hyung-doo after reviewing prosecution documents.

The refusal immediately sparked allegations that the prosecution investigated the politically sensitive case in a cursory manner, putting additional pressure on Lim.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr
 
  • Competition heats up in urban air mobility market
  • 5 Woori Bank branches open exclusively for foreign customers every Sunday
  • India's wheat export ban feared to raise prices of bread, instant noodles
  • The Collective brings 'Bootycandy' to Korea
  • Immigrant voter turnout declines in local elections
  • As China says goodbye to 2023 Asian Cup, should Korea step in?
  • Air Seoul to resume Incheon-Boracay flights next month
  • Ex-baseball coach accused of assault suspended for 100 games by KBO
  • Korean volunteer fighter in Ukraine doesn't regret his action despite facing imprisonment at home
  • Gov't urged to increase support for creators when K-culture is hot
  • BTS wins three Billboard Music Awards, marking 6th year to win an award BTS wins three Billboard Music Awards, marking 6th year to win an award
  • Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram's bullying allegations resurface Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram's bullying allegations resurface
  • Yeo Jin-goo offers glimpse of his role in new series 'Link: Eat, Love, Kill' Yeo Jin-goo offers glimpse of his role in new series 'Link: Eat, Love, Kill'
  • How did TikTok become main marketing tool for K-pop? How did TikTok become main marketing tool for K-pop?
  • 'Broker,' 'Decision to Leave' to kick off summer blockbuster season 'Broker,' 'Decision to Leave' to kick off summer blockbuster season
DARKROOM
  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

  • Rio Carnival returns after two-year hiatus

    Rio Carnival returns after two-year hiatus

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group