Prosecutor-General Lim Resigns

Prosecutor-General Lim Chae-jin (photo) announced his resignation yesterday in the wake of harsh criticism stemming from the shocking May 23 suicide of former President Roh Moo-hyun.

Jo Eun-seok, spokesman for the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, delivered Lim’s statement, which said, “Though I did my best, an unimaginable disaster has disturbed many people. As the prosecutor-general in charge of the lobbying case surrounding former Taekwang Industry Chairman Park Yeon-cha, I apologize to the Korean people.”

Lim said he will definitely step down immediately after handing in his resignation to Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han. Lim’s offer to resign May 23, the day Roh died, was rejected two days later.

Presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said shortly after Lim tendered his resignation for the first time, “We’ve asked Lim to remain in office since we believe he should stay as prosecutor-general until the investigation is over. When Lim first handed in his resignation in May, Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han also offered to resign. But President Lee Myung-bak asked Kim to stay.”

Even if Lim leaves, the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae is highly likely to appoint his replacement in a Cabinet reshuffle expected in the middle of this month. Deputy Prosecutor General Moon Seong-woo will serve as acting prosecutor-general.

The Justice Ministry is also considering replacing certain investigators at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office who have been in charge of the bribery scandal probe into former Taekwang Industry Chairman Park Yeon-cha.

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