Looking at Prosecutorial Reform Dribble through the First Prosecutor Appointment of the Lee Jae-myung Government

Introduction: The Path of Acceptance Rather than Conflict in Prosecutorial Reform

Since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, judicial reform has once again emerged as a central political agenda. Previous administrations also grappled with the concentration of power and institutional monopolization by the prosecution, but the process has always been confrontational and sometimes escalated into outright conflicts between the prosecution and the government, resulting in political backlash. In particular, during the Moon Jae-in administration, conflicts between the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution intensified under the banner of 'dispersing prosecutorial power,' leading to internal turmoil such as backlash from within the organization, resignations en masse, and the breaking of seniority norms. While the need for judicial reform was clear, the approach made the prosecutorial organization more assertive, ultimately resulting in the side effect of 'politicization of the prosecution.' The Lee Jae-myung administration is different. While it maintains the direction of reform, its approach is more precise and moderate. Instead of subverting the organization, it is designing a structure that encourages participation in change. The initial signs of this were clearly revealed in the first high-level appointments of the prosecution that coincided with the resignation of Prosecutor General Shin Woo-jung. In this essay, I aim to explore through the symbolism and strategy of this appointment how the Lee Jae-myung administration is designing its judicial reform.

Main Argument: The Multilayered Message of Lee Jae-myung's Government's First Personnel Appointment

2-1. The Resignation of Prosecutor General Shin Woo-jung and the Symbolism of 'I Am Against It' Prosecutor General Shin Woo-jung did not directly criticize judicial reform in his resignation speech, but its meaning was clear to everyone. His statement that "it is wrong to abolish even the normal role of the prosecution" was interpreted as an opposing stance on the direction of judicial reform. The resignation speech, which portrayed him as a victim of judicial reform, faced significant criticism. Some dismissed it as "cowardly," labeling him as a person "at the center of the prosecution's privileges and power-based investigations that took place in front of the public." In particular, the circumstances of time manipulation during investigations related to former President Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Kun-hee, the bias in handling cases, and the use of private phones served as grounds for criticism regarding his abandonment of political neutrality. There was no organized defiance or backlash from within the prosecution as seen previously. This is interpreted as a signal reflecting either a sense of 'abandonment' within the prosecution organization or an atmosphere of acceptance of reform. Ultimately, Shin Woo-jung's departure was not merely the resignation of one individual but a symbolic exit of the former prosecution system and the first threshold of reform.

Direction of Personnel: Buffer Strategy Instead of Complete Replacement

2-2. Direction of Personnel: A Buffer Strategy Rather Than a Complete Overhaul The first personnel appointment by the Lee Jae-myung administration did not dichotomize the prosecution organization into 'good' and 'bad' sides like in the past. Prosecutors promoted under the previous administration, and even some appointees who held key positions during the Yoon Seok-yeol government were included. This is interpreted not only as the avoidance of 'factional appointments' but also as a strategic choice to enhance the feasibility of prosecutorial reform. The core of this appointment is the establishment of a buffering structure rather than a complete overhaul. Before the full-scale implementation of reform legislation and structural reorganization, it aims to minimize existing conflicts and resistance within the prosecution by placing personnel with potential neutrality and cooperation, thereby designing a flow of reform from within the organization. While the previous Moon Jae-in administration attempted a surgical reform through a dismantling of seniority and a thorough cleansing of personnel, this appointment approaches the situation quietly and intricately, akin to a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure.

Strategies of Psychological Persuasion and Justification

2-3. Strategies for Psychological Persuasion and Justification The key aspect of this personnel appointment is not the 'political appointment of individuals', but rather the 'structure of psychological persuasion'. The Lee Jae-myung administration is ensuring that the prosecution organization does not see itself as a target of forced reform, but rather feels that it is participating in reform on its own accord. This is a structure of self-rationalization utilizing what is called 'cognitive dissonance resolution'. Internal personnel within the prosecution are given the justification that "you are playing a role in saving the organization". In the past, resistance to prosecutorial reform was considered an act of organizational loyalty, but this time, accepting reform is being framed as the 'wise choice'. If one times their retirement well, they can even receive honorific treatment and not damage their standing within the organization. The core of this appointment lies in opening the path for a 'honorable retirement' that makes all of these calculations possible. Ultimately, the Lee Jae-myung administration has created a structure designed psychologically so that individuals do not resist reform, rather than making it difficult for them to resist.

Key Buffer Figures: Bong-wook and Jeong Sung-ho

2-4. Key Mediators: Bong-wook and Jeong Seong-ho There are individuals who played a crucial role in designing and executing this structure. At the center are Chief Civil Affairs Officer Bong-wook and Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho. Bong-wook is highly regarded within the prosecution and is seen as someone who has maintained practical skills and a sense of balance under any administration. He contacted problematic figures directly to induce an orderly resignation and served as a coordinator within the prosecution to select neutral personnel. This was a calculated move to secure reform momentum while minimizing internal resistance. Minister Jeong Seong-ho is considered someone capable of communication with 'prosecutor advocates.' Although there has been criticism within some factions of the Democratic Party about appointing pro-Yoon personnel, Jeong Seong-ho functions as a mediator who can navigate those boundaries. In fact, he has shown an approach of calmly persuading the need for institutional reform while preserving the self-esteem of those within the organization by stating, "There are many in the prosecution who are committed to professional ethics." These two figures are not just ordinary bureaucrats, but psychological persuaders who gently lead the transition of reform.

Utilization of 'Pro-Progressive Personnel' as a Short-term Card

2-5. The interesting aspect of utilizing 'pro-Yoon personnel' as a short-term card is that some 'pro-Yoon' prosecutors have also been appointed in this personnel decision. On the surface, this could be interpreted as a 'regression of reform,' but it appears that the Lee Jae-myung government is using them not for long-term roles but as a short-term buffer. This is a transitional personnel card for a period of about 3 to 6 months, designed to maintain a minimum order within the organization until the disbandment of the organization and the transition to a public prosecution office occur, allowing for a natural exit afterwards. They are also given a justification. 'You are a figure who will sever ties with the past and bridge the gap to the new system.' This statement is ultimately part of a persuasion strategy that makes everyone feel like a subject of reform. Even those who are aware of this structure and still participate are able to accept the reality of being used temporarily because they are offered both justification and practicality, that is, face and benefit simultaneously.

Conclusion: The Techniques of Reform Understanding Organizations and Psychology

3. Conclusion: The Technology of Reform Understanding Organizations and Psychology The Lee Jae-myung administration's prosecutor reform is not just a matter of personnel or legislation. It is a 'people-centered reform' that understands the power structure of organizations and reads the psychology of internal figures. Rather than simply changing laws, it is transforming the system in a way that moves people. This first round of prosecutor appointments carries significance beyond mere personnel changes. It is a political maneuver designed to implement reform without resistance, beginning with the departure of Shim Woo-jung, a symbol of the old prosecutorial system, through psychological alignment among mid-level personnel, minimizing internal backlash, inducing honorable resignations, and coordinating buffer figures. Prosecutor reform is not a matter that can be accomplished with a single stroke. Instead, it requires a delicate strategy that understands human psychology, organizational culture, and the workings of power. In this regard, the Lee Jae-myung administration is showing a reform model that has evolved to a higher level than in the past. This appointment demonstrates that reform is not a war but a continuous persuasion cloaked in participation.