Overview
- Opposition People Power Party lawmakers rallied outside the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, demanding Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok’s resignation, a special counsel and a parliamentary probe.
- Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho denied any role by President Lee Jae Myung, saying he urged a careful decision after briefings, as the presidential office publicly offered no stance and a senior aide said there was no benefit for the president.
- Internal backlash escalated with 18 senior prosecutors seeking a detailed explanation of the non-appeal and research officers urging Noh to quit, while Seoul Central District chief Jung Jin-woo offered to resign after saying he had urged an appeal.
- A conservative civic group filed a police complaint accusing senior officials, including Jung and Noh, of abuse of power and interference over the decision not to appeal.
- The unchallenged Oct. 31 verdict limits any higher sentences on appeal, leaves only partial confiscation in place and, according to legal analysts, weakens prosecutorial links to Lee while reducing potential penalties in his paused case.