The Justice Ministry on Friday appointed Han Sang-dae, chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, to head the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in a reshuffle that affected six senior prosecutor posts.

Park Yong-seok, chief of the Legal Research and Training Institute, was appointed as the vice chief of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in the reshuffle, which officials said is aimed at rejuvenating the prosecutorial circles.

Roh Hwan-gyun, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, was named to head the Daegu High Prosecutors’ Office while Cha Dong-min, vice chief of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, was named to head the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office.

Hwang Gyo-an, chief of the Daegu High Prosecutors’ Office, was appointed to lead the Busan High Prosecutors’ Office. Cho Geun-ho, chief of the Busan High Prosecutors’ Office, was appointed as chief of the Legal Research and Training Institute.

“We expect the reshuffle to change the overall atmosphere at the prosecutorial organization and help us work harder and focus on our jobs,” said a prosecution official, refusing to be named.

The reshuffle came after Nam Gi-chun, chief of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office, abruptly offered to resign.

Nam has led the high-profile investigations into Hanhwa Group and Taekwang Group over the allegations that they have operated slush funds for illegal purposes. In his message posted on the prosecution’s internal communications network, Nam said, “I think it is about the time for me to leave. I may have to make a beautiful end.”

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)