Has the prosecution changed?

The organization of human resources can reveal a lot about an organization. Promotions and demotions suggest the direction of future management, which is why appointments are critical in any governance.

A handful of senior prosecutors have handed in their resignations after a recent reshuffle made by new Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol.

The exodus was mainly among prosecutors who were involved in the investigation of members under the incumbent Moon Jae-in administration. Ju Jin-wu, a senior prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office, stepped down, saying it was disrespectful to the people and the prosecution establishment to continue service under an institution that has “lost its public service discipline.”

His resignation came after he was demoted to a regional office. His boss Kwon Sun-cheol, who also led the probe into a scandal at the Environment Ministry that caused the removal of minister Kim Eun-kyung, also resigned after he was left out of the regular promotion.

Kim Beom-ki, a prosecutor who was part of the probe into former ruling party heavyweight Sohn Hye-won for real estate speculation, was also excluded in the seniority promotion.

Their loss was the gain of Yoon, who spearheaded the special investigations on wrongdoings of past conservative governments.

The prosecutors who were involved in the investigations of power abuse under the Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak administrations were promoted as the chiefs of Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office.

The distinctive reshuffling has drawn scorns from both in and outside the organization. Despite repeated pledges, the prosecution has not changed as it remains loyal to the sitting power and ruthless to previous administrations.

JoongAng Ilbo, Aug. 2, Page 26