ID :
195202
Fri, 07/15/2011 - 12:26
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https://oananews.org//node/195202
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Lee names new justice minister, prosecutor general
(LEAD)SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak on Friday nominated one of his senior secretaries as the new justice minister, overriding protests from opposition parties and some ruling party lawmakers concerned about fair management of next year's key elections.
The presidential office said the president tapped Kwon Jae-jin, a prosecutor-turned-presidential secretary in charge of civil affairs, as his new justice minister.
Lee also nominated Han Sang-dae, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, as prosecutor general to succeed Kim Joon-gyu, Cheong Wa Dae said. Kim quit earlier this month in protest of a law revision that he insists will weaken prosecutors' control of police.
The nominations came as concerns were raised that appointing a chief presidential aide as justice minister could raise questions over law enforcement's neutrality ahead of next year's general and presidential elections.
Kim Du-woo, senior presidential spokesman, said Kwon is credited with excellent policy judgment, leadership and a mild personality.
"We expect Kim to reform and lead the Justice Ministry and the prosecution in a way that regains public confidence," the spokesman said.
Born in the southeastern city of Daegu in 1953, Kwon graduated from Seoul National University College of Law in 1976. He had assumed top posts at an array of prosecution agency offices, including the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office and the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, before joining the presidential office in late 2009.
Kim also said the chief prosecutor nominee, Han, is widely regarded as a man of convictions and rules.
"Han is considered to be the right person to lead the future-oriented reform of the prosecution based on his strong conviction and will toward achieving the rule of the law," Kim added.
Han, 52, a native of Seoul, graduated from Korea University College of Law. He has also held key posts of the prosecution, including the head of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office.
The presidential office said the president tapped Kwon Jae-jin, a prosecutor-turned-presidential secretary in charge of civil affairs, as his new justice minister.
Lee also nominated Han Sang-dae, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, as prosecutor general to succeed Kim Joon-gyu, Cheong Wa Dae said. Kim quit earlier this month in protest of a law revision that he insists will weaken prosecutors' control of police.
The nominations came as concerns were raised that appointing a chief presidential aide as justice minister could raise questions over law enforcement's neutrality ahead of next year's general and presidential elections.
Kim Du-woo, senior presidential spokesman, said Kwon is credited with excellent policy judgment, leadership and a mild personality.
"We expect Kim to reform and lead the Justice Ministry and the prosecution in a way that regains public confidence," the spokesman said.
Born in the southeastern city of Daegu in 1953, Kwon graduated from Seoul National University College of Law in 1976. He had assumed top posts at an array of prosecution agency offices, including the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office and the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, before joining the presidential office in late 2009.
Kim also said the chief prosecutor nominee, Han, is widely regarded as a man of convictions and rules.
"Han is considered to be the right person to lead the future-oriented reform of the prosecution based on his strong conviction and will toward achieving the rule of the law," Kim added.
Han, 52, a native of Seoul, graduated from Korea University College of Law. He has also held key posts of the prosecution, including the head of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office.
