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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

South Korean Justice Minister Cites Poor Health and Reform Progress in Hinting at Resignation

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Justice Minister Cho Sung-ho stated his health is "very poor" and he has been suffering from severe sleep disorders for months.
  • Cho indicated his intention to step down, suggesting that with 95% of prosecutorial reform achieved, "new wine should be put in a new bottle."
  • The Blue House, however, maintains that Cho has not officially offered his resignation and that his potential departure is not currently a focus during President Lee Jae-myung's state visit.

Justice Minister Cho Sung-ho revealed on the 27th that his health has deteriorated significantly, citing severe sleep disturbances over several months. He stated, "My health condition is very poor," and indicated that he has been discussing his situation with individuals close to the President.

My health condition is very poor.

— Cho Sung-hoExplaining his personal reasons for considering resignation.

Cho suggested that his potential departure from the ministry is linked to the progress of prosecutorial reforms. He believes that with the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, "95% of prosecutorial reform has been achieved." Consequently, he expressed a personal view that "new wine should be put in a new bottle," implying a need for new leadership to consolidate these reforms.

With prosecutorial reform largely completed in its broad framework, I personally think that new wine should be put in a new bottle, shouldn't it?

— Cho Sung-hoSuggesting a need for new leadership after reforms.

He further noted that his thoughts about stepping down predated the announcement regarding the abolition of supplementary investigative powers. Cho mentioned that he had been considering this for some time, especially given his ongoing health issues, which he described as personal and difficult to elaborate on.

I have been thinking about this since before the announcement of the abolition of supplementary investigative powers.

— Cho Sung-hoIndicating that his intention to resign predates recent policy changes.

Meanwhile, the Blue House has publicly stated that Justice Minister Cho Sung-ho has not officially tendered his resignation. A Blue House official, briefing reporters in Brazil where President Lee Jae-myung is on a state visit, asserted that the reports of Cho's resignation are untrue. The official emphasized that Cho's situation is not a matter of focus during the President's important diplomatic trip, suggesting that the administration is prioritizing the President's international engagements.

In recent months, I have had severe sleep disorders, and as it is a personal matter, it is difficult to elaborate.

— Cho Sung-hoDetailing his health problems.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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