Incumbent Vice Minister of Justice Shim Woo-jung has been named the new candidate for prosecutor general, the presidential office announced Sunday.
During a press briefing on Sunday afternoon, Chung Jin-suk, presidential chief of staff, said Shim is the right candidate who can effectively and stably lead the prosecution.
“Candidate Shim is highly trusted by members of the prosecution for his rational leadership. He has deep insight into criminal procedures and prosecutorial systems, as well as a strong commitment to upholding the rule of law,” Chung said during the briefing.
“Shim is regarded as the right candidate who can fulfill the prosecution’s core role of protecting the public and defending the Constitution and the rule of law,” he added.
Born in 1971, Shim studied law at Seoul National 토토 University and passed the national bar exam in 1994. He began his career as a prosecutor at the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office in 2000.
Over the past two decades, he has held various positions, including deputy chief prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office and deputy minister for planning and coordination at the Ministry of Justice.
He was tapped to be the vice justice minister in January this year. He is also the son of Shim Dae-pyeong, former governor of South Chungcheong Province.
Earlier this month, the candidate recommendation committee for prosecutor general shortlisted four candidates, including Shim. Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae submitted Shim’s nomination to the president.
There was cautious speculation both within and outside the prosecution that the new prosecutor general nomination would intentionally avoid candidates with a background in special investigations from within the agency.