South Korea Recommends Special Prosecutors For Major Cases

On June 12, 2025, South Korea's Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party jointly unveiled their recommended candidates for three high-profile special prosecutor positions, marking a significant step forward in the ongoing investigations involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol and related controversies.

The Democratic Party announced Cho Eun-seok, former acting chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, as the candidate for the Internal Rebellion Special Prosecutor. For the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor, they recommended Min Joong-ki, former chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court, and for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor, Lee Yoon-je, a law professor at Myongji University, was nominated.

Democratic Party spokesperson Noh Jong-myeon explained that their selection process was thorough and inclusive, drawing from a broad spectrum of legal and academic circles as well as legislative members. "We received wide recommendations from various sectors and reviewed over 20 candidates in depth," he said during a briefing. "Ultimately, we decided to recommend one person per special prosecutor role based on investigative ability, leadership skills to manage large teams, and proven results."

Cho Eun-seok is a particularly notable figure, having previously directed a review of audit results related to suspicions surrounding the former president Yoon’s spouse and the relocation of the presidential office. This background is expected to provide him with the insight and authority necessary to oversee the Internal Rebellion investigation.

Parallel to the Democratic Party’s announcements, the Rebuilding Korea Party also put forward its own slate of candidates. Han Dong-soo, former director of the Supreme Court Judicial Research and Training Institute, was recommended for the Internal Rebellion Special Prosecutor. Shim Jae-cheol, former head of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, was nominated for the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor, and Lee Myeong-hyeon, former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Legal Affairs Office, was selected for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor role.

Rebuilding Korea Party spokesperson Yoon Jae-gwan highlighted the party’s criteria for selection, emphasizing a firm commitment to internal reform, an unyielding character to resist external pressures, and strong leadership to command prosecutors and investigators effectively. "We expect these special prosecutors to conduct swift and decisive investigations and deliver justice that has been delayed," Yoon stated.

The backgrounds of some candidates have sparked debate and concern. Shim Jae-cheol, for instance, played a leading role in the Ministry of Justice’s disciplinary actions against former President Yoon back in 2020, when Yoon was Prosecutor General. Han Dong-soo also gave testimony unfavorable to Yoon during that period, supporting the justification for disciplinary measures. This has led some observers to voice worries about potential political retaliation influencing the appointments.

However, Democratic Party spokesperson Noh Jong-myeon dismissed such concerns, saying, "Rather than political considerations, we focused on competence and performance. To let political bias interfere would risk excluding capable and effective candidates." Similarly, Rebuilding Korea Party strategist Lee Kyu-won remarked, "We prioritized professional experience over personal anecdotes or political history." The Democratic Party’s spokesperson also reinforced this stance, noting, "These are critical special prosecutors who must conduct impartial investigations without personal bias. We have selected candidates fitting these stringent criteria."

President Lee Jae-myung is expected to officially appoint one special prosecutor for each case within three days of the recommendations, by June 15, 2025. Once appointed, the special prosecutors will undergo a preparation period before launching their investigations, anticipated to begin by mid-July.

The scale of these investigations is substantial. Approximately 570 personnel will be involved across the three special prosecutor teams, including up to 120 dispatched prosecutors. These teams will simultaneously investigate the "12.3 stock manipulation incident" and various allegations surrounding former President Yoon's spouse, Kim Keon-hee, over an estimated period of 140 to 170 days.

The investigations represent a major chapter in South Korea's political and legal landscape, addressing serious allegations that have stirred public debate and political tension. The deployment of such a large, specialized prosecutorial force underscores the gravity with which these cases are being treated.

As the country awaits the official appointments and the commencement of investigations, the recommendations from both parties reflect a careful balance of legal expertise, leadership capacity, and a commitment to impartiality. The coming months will reveal how these special prosecutors navigate the complex web of political and legal challenges ahead.