Gwacheon: Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho emphasized the importance of maintaining stability within the prosecution as he responded to reports about potential government actions against senior prosecutors. These prosecutors had expressed opposition to the withdrawal of an appeal in a case connected to President Lee Jae Myung.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Jung addressed the media upon his arrival at the justice ministry in Gwacheon, located just south of Seoul. He was questioned about the ministry's alleged plans to demote 18 chiefs of district prosecutors' offices. The demotions would be a response to their protest against a November 7 decision to drop an appeal. Jung stated, "What's most important is that the justice ministry and the prosecution are stabilized for the sake of the people. I'm thinking hard about what would be a good method."

When queried about the potential internal backlash from such demotions, Jung remarked, "I understand there's no particular activity of that kind." Reports suggest that the justice ministry may reassign these senior prosecutors to lower-ranking positions, effectively demoting them, although not in a legal sense. Furthermore, the government is reportedly considering launching investigations or inspections into their actions.

The appeal in question was considered standard procedure after a court partially acquitted five suspects involved in a land development corruption case related to Lee's tenure as mayor of Seongnam. The prosecutorial team did not file the appeal by the deadline, raising suspicions of justice ministry interference aimed at reducing the suspects' and, by implication, Lee's accountability.