South Korean Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho submitted his resignation on June 18, 2026, after serving approximately one year in the role [1].
The departure of the nation's top legal official comes at a critical juncture for the administration's legal reforms. Jung's exit marks the conclusion of a specific legislative push and signals a shift in how the government intends to manage the implementation of new laws.
Jung said that his role as minister had diminished following the passage of the Criminal Procedure Act. He said that he believes there is more work to be done within the National Assembly to quickly correct issues arising during the legislative process.
"Now that the Criminal Procedure Act has passed, there is not much of a role for me to play," Jung said. "Rather, I think I may have more to do in the National Assembly to quickly correct slight problems appearing in the process of amending the Criminal Procedure Act."
Jung took office in July 2025 [1] as the first Justice Minister under the Lee Jae-myung administration [1]. His tenure lasted roughly one year [1] before he submitted his resignation.
A spokesperson for the Blue House said that Jung had expressed his intent to resign a long time ago and that they hope the process is handled quickly.
However, not all political figures agree with the timing of the departure. Rep. Kim Yong-min of the Democratic Party of Korea said via Facebook that the reform of the prosecution must be finalized until the end.
The transition occurs as the government moves from the drafting of major legal frameworks to the practical application of those laws in the court system.
“"Now that the Criminal Procedure Act has passed, there is not much of a role for me to play."”
Jung's resignation suggests that the Lee Jae-myung administration views the passage of the Criminal Procedure Act as a primary milestone. By moving from the executive branch back toward the legislative sphere, Jung aims to oversee the 'fine-tuning' of the law, which often reveals unforeseen loopholes upon implementation. The friction expressed by Rep. Kim Yong-min indicates internal party tension regarding whether the prosecution's reform is truly complete or merely paused.
