Seoul: Former senior prosecutor Han Chan-sik has been appointed as the new presidential secretary for civil affairs, a move that is poised to bolster the Lee Jae Myung administration's efforts in prosecutorial reform. Han, with his extensive background in the prosecution service and legal affairs, is anticipated to play a pivotal role in steering the reform agenda.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Han Chan-sik, 59, has a notable history of service, having held the position of director-general of the Justice Ministry's Human Rights Bureau and chief prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office. During his tenure as chief prosecutor, he led significant investigations, including probing allegations of a blacklist involving senior officials from the previous Moon Jae-in administration.

Han stepped down in 2019, prior to Yoon Suk Yeol's inauguration as prosecutor general, who subsequently became the president. He went on to join Kim and Chang, South Korea's largest law firm, as an attorney in August 2022. Now, in his new role, Han is expected to concentrate on completing the administration's prosecutorial reform agenda, which includes a major overhaul of the prosecution system slated for October. This overhaul plans to establish distinct agencies responsible for public prosecutions and criminal investigations.

The appointment has also sparked interest in Han's potential role as a mediator in the ongoing discussions between the ruling Democratic Party and the government. Key reform issues, such as the retention of supplementary investigative powers by prosecutors, remain contentious, and Han's ability to navigate these differences will be closely watched.