New justice minister to balance up the system
Published: 04 Sep. 2009, 03:11
In the hierarchical world of the Korean justice system, designating Lee Kwi-nam as the Justice Minister candidate comes as a surprise.
Lee is one year junior to the prosecutor general, Kim Joon-gyu, in terms of the time their legal careers. The prosecutor general is under the command of the justice minister, and only two previous justice ministers, Kang Kum-sill in 2003 and Chun Jung-bae in 2005, were juniors to their prosecutors general.
Ahead of his confirmation hearing, Lee admitted he felt “a great burden” of responsibility. “I will prepare for my work the best I can so that I won’t let people down,” he said.
An official at the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office said Lee’s appointment might seem unusual but both sides can benefit. “We’d be less worried about the justice minister meddling with a prosecution investigation,” the official said. “It would allow the minister and the prosecutor general to thrive in their respective fields [with independence].”
Another official noted that both Lee and Kim are known as “rational” types and their partnership would be “mutually beneficial.”
Lee has also served as the chief of the central investigation department at the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ office. The official said such diverse experience - the South Jeolla native has also worked in Gwangju and Daegu prosecution offices - is something that would help “complement” Kim.
A Justice Ministry official said Lee’s appointment would help separate administration from investigations. He noted that Lee’s experience as vice justice minister would give the ministry a sense of consistency.
Ironically, it was tradition that forced Lee to step down from his previous post as vice justice minister in July after Chun Sung-gwan was nominated as prosecutor general.
Four prosecutors who were Chun’s contemporaries during their legal training, including Lee, resigned at the time. According to custom, they should make room for a younger prosecutor if a junior or a contemporary is appointed to a post higher than his or her senior or contemporary.
By Yoo Jee-ho, Kim Seung-hyun [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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