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Lee One-seok, the deputy prosecutor general nominated to be the first prosecutor general of the Yoon administration, speaks to the press about his nomination outside the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seoul on Aug. 18. (Yonhap News)

On Thursday, President Yoon Suk-yeol tapped Lee One-seok, a deputy prosecutor general at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office (SPO), as his nominee for the first prosecutor general of his administration. Announcing this, presidential chief of staff Kim Dae-ki stated the presidential office “judged that [Lee] would do a good job leading the Prosecutors’ Office with a balanced perspective.”

However, as Yoon has already established a system of direct control over the prosecution service through Han Dong-hoon, his closest associate as well as the minister of justice, skeptics say it’s unclear whether Lee would properly protect the neutrality and independence of the prosecution.

At the time Yoon was prosecutor general, Lee assisted Yoon from a close distance as the head of planning and coordination at the SPO. Lee is also considered a member of the “Yoon Suk-yeol line” within the prosecution service.

While some say Lee demonstrated stable leadership while serving as acting prosecutor general after his predecessor Kim O-su resigned in May, from a different light, it’s also possible to make the case that he contributed to the “direct control” of the prosecution by Han, who has been accused of passing over the prosecutor general. This is why the question of whether Lee would be able to maintain the independence of the prosecutive service with determination despite “outside pressure” is being asked.

After the announcement of the nomination by the presidential office that day, Lee told reporters, “I am well aware of the concerns,” regarding the independence and neutrality of the agency. “I will do my best to protect these values.”

However, the scope of the new prosecutor general’s work is bound to be limited given how Han Dong-hoon, Yoon’s most trusted confidant, has already filled three main prosecution positions with prosecutors belonging to the pro-Yoon camp.

There is good reason for the widespread concerns that whoever becomes the next prosecutor general would end up being more of a puppet figure.

Those refuting this notion point out the personnel talks that were held between Lee and Han when Lee was acting chief prosecutor. However, not many believe that Lee, as a candidate for prosecutor general, would have been able to negotiate on an equal footing with Han, who holds the power to nominate personnel.

Meanwhile, the prosecution is currently conducting various investigations targeting the administration of Yoon’s predecessor, Moon Jae-in.

While the Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation case involving the president’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, remains at an impasse, many say that the investigations into the former government are rolling along at a high speed.

With growing concerns about Korea becoming a “republic of prosecutors,” it’s more important than ever that whoever leads the agency is determined to protect its political neutrality.

Lee should also bear in mind the reason why people see his nomination as the last step in the government’s aim to have the entire prosecution under its control.

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