Busan District Prosecutors' Office Chief Prosecutor Kim Chang-jin and Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office Chief Prosecutor Park Hyun-chul tendered their resignations on the 11th, immediately after the Justice Ministry announced personnel appointments. Both were reassigned as research fellows at the Legal Research and Training Institute and then promptly posted messages on the prosecution's internal network stating they would step down.
On the day, Chief Prosecutor Kim posted a resignation message on the prosecution's internal network "Epros," attaching a post titled "A request to prosecutors of the Republic of Korea." In the post, Kim recalled, "While being involved in investigations of the cases of former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye, the case of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, and the investigation into the former president Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, I was alternately criticized by both camps as a political prosecutor." Kim added, "In that process, those in power invariably tried to bring the prosecution under their control, and I came to realize that while invoking the pretext of serving the people, they consistently abused their power to protect themselves and their close aides."
Chief Prosecutor Kim said, "Prosecutors must never yield to external pressure or allow themselves to be used," adding, "They must be just, and they must also appear just. They are guaranteed their status to do that properly." At the end of the post, Kim added, "Living as a prosecutor while realizing justice in this society is truly valuable and admirable," and "I sincerely cheer you on as you steadily walk the path before you."
Chief Prosecutor Park also posted on Epros, saying, "We pledged to make this a workplace where members can protect their honor and conscience and to create conditions where we prove our own value," and added, "I am leaving with only a heavy burden left to the prosecution family who are steadfastly holding their posts amid the turbulent waves of the collapse of the criminal justice system." Park continued, "I hope the prosecution of the Republic of Korea will remain a solid pillar that protects the people's human rights to the end, responds firmly to crime, and realizes justice," and said, "I hope the democracy and the rule of law that our predecessors defended with their blood and sweat will continue without faltering."
Earlier that afternoon, the Justice Ministry carried out personnel actions reassigning three of the chief prosecutors who had issued a collective statement opposing the decision not to appeal in the "Daejang-dong development corruption case," appointing them as research fellows at the Legal Research and Training Institute. The appointees were Chief Prosecutor Kim, Chief Prosecutor Park, and Daegu District Prosecutors' Office Chief Prosecutor Park Hyuk-su.
In addition, regarding the same matter, Jung Yu-mi, a research fellow at the Legal Research and Training Institute (Supreme Prosecutors' Office-level prosecutor) who had strongly criticized the decision not to appeal on the prosecution's internal network, was appointed as a prosecutor at the Daejeon High Prosecutors' Office.
Regarding the personnel moves, the Justice Ministry explained, "We appointed a Supreme Prosecutors' Office-level prosecutor as a High Prosecutors' Office prosecutor because the prosecutor repeatedly disparaged internal members with inappropriate expressions and, in the course of performing duties, caused misunderstandings about the political neutrality and fairness of the prosecution, damaging the organization's honor and trust." The ministry added, "This is a measure to reestablish discipline and refresh the atmosphere within the prosecution organization."