Court Upholds Dismissal of Prosecutor Lee Gyu-won for Political Activities

A South Korean court has upheld the Ministry of Justice's decision to dismiss prosecutor Lee Gyu-won. The Seoul Administrative Court ruled on Thursday that the dismissal was lawful, rejecting Lee's challenge. The Ministry of Justice had removed Lee from his position in November 2024, citing violations of his official duties, including refusing to report to work without justifiable reason. Lee had been a deputy chief prosecutor in Daegu. The dismissal, the highest level of disciplinary action, restricts him from practicing law for three years. Lee had pursued political activities, running as a proportional representative candidate for the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, despite his resignation not being accepted. He was ultimately unsuccessful in the election. He continued his political engagement as a spokesperson for the party. Lee had sued the Ministry of Justice, calling the dismissal "fictitious and absurd." The court had previously suggested a settlement involving the cancellation of the dismissal, but the Ministry of Justice found this unacceptable, leading to the final court judgment. Lee had also filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement against the then Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, but this was dismissed by another court for failing to meet procedural requirements. Lee's legal troubles also include a conviction for forging interview reports during an investigation into alleged sex trafficking involving former Justice Vice Minister Kim Hak-ui. He received a suspended fine of 2 million won in that case, which became final last month.