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Resignation tender by Seoul's top prosecutor an immediate task for new president

Published: 03 Jun. 2025, 16:29 Updated: 03 Jun. 2025, 23:14

Lee Chang-soo, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, on March 13 [YONHAP]

The incoming administration has a list of tasks to take care of, and one of the first personnel decisions is whether to accept the resignation of Lee Chang-soo, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, whose departure could reshape the nation's prosecutorial landscape.

Lee, a central figure in several politically charged investigations, offered to resign on May 20, citing health reasons. Yet two weeks later, and just one day after the election, he remains on the job — reviewing briefings on electoral matters while his future hangs in legal limbo.

“The authority to approve the resignation of senior prosecutors lies with the president,” said a Ministry of Justice official. Lee’s status will therefore be decided after the new administration officially launches on Wednesday.

Lee submitted his resignation on May 20, citing health reasons. Jo Sang-won, head of the fourth division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office who had overseen special investigations under Lee, also tendered his resignation the same day. The two were reportedly expected to step down by June 2, one day before the election.

Both prosecutors were impeached by the National Assembly in December last year over their decisions to drop criminal charges against then-first lady Kim Keon Hee in cases involving a luxury handbag gift and allegations of stock manipulation of car-dealing company Deutsche Motors.

Lee Chang-soo, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, speaks to reporters as he arrives for work in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on March 13. [YONHAP]

Although the Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachments in March, allowing them to return to work, they submitted their resignations two months later.

Lee previously served as spokesperson for the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office under former President Yoon Suk Yeol, when Yoon was prosecutor general. He later oversaw the investigation into alleged misconduct by liberal Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung involving sponsorships for Seongnam FC football club.

After being promoted to chief prosecutor, Lee led the probe into alleged nepotistic hiring involving former President Moon Jae-in’s former son-in-law while heading the Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office.

Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office Chief Lee Chang-soo speaks at the Constitutional Court in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Feb. 24. [CONSTITUTIONAL COURT]

Lee Jae-myung criticized the resignations during a campaign rally in Incheon on May 21, saying, “Prosecutors cannot evade responsibility for their politically biased use of power, even if they resign.”

With the resignations still pending, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office has not been able to schedule a farewell ceremony for him. On Monday afternoon, when his departure had been anticipated, prosecutors from the office’s four divisions made farewell visits to Lee’s office to send him off.

Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
BY KIM BO-REUM, SUK GYEONG-MIN [[email protected]]