Justice Minister Shortlist Narrowed to Two: Former Senior Prosecutors Park Kyun-taek and Yang Boo-nam, Both Lawmakers
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The post of justice minister, which has been vacant for two months, has been narrowed down to two candidates. President Lee Jae-myung is reportedly weighing whether to nominate Democratic Party lawmaker Park Kyun-taek or lawmaker Yang Boo-nam.
Both candidates are former senior prosecutors. Because the justice minister leads the Ministry of Justice and oversees the prosecution service, individuals who know the prosecutorial organization well are being mentioned as candidates.
The appointment is drawing attention because it coincides with the launch of the new Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. The Public Prosecution Office is the body that indicts suspects in court and maintains the prosecution in trials, while the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency investigates significant crimes such as corruption and economic crimes. With these two new institutions being created and the prosecutorial system changing as a result, some assessments suggest the justice minister's role has become even more important.
Once the president settles on a final candidate, that person will undergo a National Assembly confirmation hearing to verify their suitability. When the appointment process is completed after the hearing, the new justice minister will officially begin work.
Sources: 매일경제
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