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The government is reportedly considering measures to reassign prosecutors who collectively opposed the decision to abandon the appeal in the Daejang-dong case to lower-level prosecutor positions.

A source from the ruling party told Yonhap News in a phone call on the 16th, "I understand that such measures are actually being reviewed within the government."

The demotion of prosecutors who collectively protested to ordinary prosecutor roles has been a publicly demanded issue within the ruling party.

On the 12th, Jung Chung-rae, a leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at a supreme council meeting, "I hope Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho will resolutely cut off the behavior of political prosecutors," and added, "There is a 'reverse clause' in the Presidential Enforcement Decree that makes it difficult to appoint a prosecutor general to a lower-level position, but I hope the repeal of such a decree will be considered and proposed."

Kim Hyun-jung, the floor spokesperson, also said in a briefing on the 14th, "The Minister of Justice must immediately launch an audit of the 16 prosecutors who defied orders and implement disciplinary actions, including dismissal and reassignment."

However, the Presidential Office has maintained a cautious stance, stating, "This is a matter that needs to be judged by the Ministry of Justice."

Kang Yoo-jung, the Presidential Office spokesperson, responded to a question about the Presidential Office's position on this issue during a briefing that day by saying, "The prosecution is an organization affiliated with the Ministry of Justice, and its personnel authority also lies with the Ministry of Justice."

This can be interpreted as highlighting that the Presidential Office is not directly involved in this matter.

Meanwhile, regarding the establishment of a special prosecutor to investigate the 'suspicion of losing a cash withdrawal slip band in the Geonjin Law Firm case' and the 'suspicion of external pressure in the Coupang severance pay non-prosecution case,' spokesperson Kang stated that one of the candidates recommended by the National Assembly is expected to be appointed as the special prosecutor on the 17th.

Previously, on the 14th, the National Assembly recommended lawyers Park Kyung-chun of Seopyeong Law Firm and Ahn Gwon-seop of Daeryun Law Firm as candidates for the special prosecutor, and President Lee is required to appoint one of them within three days of the recommendation.

Yonhap News