Minister Park Seong-jae said in his farewell speech on the 5th, "If we recklessly use institutional authority under the pretense of a majority's intent without consultation and deliberation, it is both the tyranny and oppression of the majority and directly contradicts the meaning of democracy." This appears to refer to the Democratic Party of Korea's impeachment of the prosecutors who investigated President Lee Jae-myung and their forceful passage of a unilateral bill.
On that day, Minister Park said at the farewell ceremony held at the Government Gwacheon Complex, "We must respect and tolerate one another, willingly participate in dialogue, use our authority reasonably and with moderation, and create a society that listens to different voices."
He also noted, "We must always reflect on the true meaning of democracy, critically evaluate the present, and move forward for the advancement of democracy," and expressed his sincere hope that "a practical democracy rooted in the spirit of harmony and coexistence, not hatred and cynicism, will be realized in our society."
Minister Park was appointed as the Minister of Justice in February of last year. The day before, President Lee Jae-myung accepted the resignation of only Minister Park among the cabinet members who had expressed their intention to resign. Thus, the Ministry of Justice will be operated under the acting Vice Minister Lee Seok-woo for the time being.