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Justice Minister Han Sung-soo Signals Resignation, Cites Health and Reform Completion
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Justice Minister Han Sung-soo Signals Resignation, Cites Health and Reform Completion

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Justice Minister Han Sung-soo indicated his intention to resign, citing poor health and the completion of major prosecutorial reforms.
  • Han stated that with the establishment of the Prosecution and Serious Crimes Investigation Agency on October 2, about 95% of prosecutorial reform will be achieved.
  • Despite his expressed desire to step down, an official stated that no formal resignation has been confirmed.

Justice Minister Han Sung-soo has signaled his intention to resign, citing significant health issues and the nearing completion of key prosecutorial reforms. Speaking at a National Assembly session on July 27, Han stated, "Personally, my health condition is not very good," and suggested that "new wine should be put into a new wineskin."

Han's remarks come amid the Democratic Party's push to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights. He indicated that once the Prosecution and Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is launched on October 2, approximately 95% of prosecutorial reform goals will be met. "I have been thinking about putting new wine into a new wineskin since before the announcement to abolish supplementary investigation rights," Han said, adding that he has been experiencing severe sleep disorders for months.

Personally, my health condition is not very good.

— Han Sung-sooJustice Minister, explaining his desire to resign.

He also noted that he had been discussing his health concerns with individuals close to the President. However, Han emphasized that it would be inappropriate to focus on the Justice Minister's potential resignation during the President's current diplomatic activities for the national interest. He expressed surprise at recent media reports concerning his potential departure.

New wine should be put into a new wineskin.

— Han Sung-sooJustice Minister, alluding to his departure after reforms are completed.

Considered a key figure in the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, Han had previously voiced concerns about the side effects of fully abolishing supplementary investigation rights. He reportedly conveyed a message to Justice Ministry officials during a meeting on July 24, asking them to "do well even without me."

Despite Han's statements, a spokesperson for the Blue House, Kang Yoo-jung, stated that "no official resignation by the Justice Minister has been confirmed." Regarding a potential cabinet reshuffle, Kang added that "no schedule has been set, and an announcement will be made when the time comes."

No official resignation by the Justice Minister has been confirmed.

— Kang Yoo-jungBlue House spokesperson, commenting on reports of Minister Han's resignation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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