Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyeon has offered to resign, a move that escalates political tensions in South Korea shortly after the National Assembly passed legislation aimed at abolishing the prosecution's direct investigative powers.
The resignation offer comes as the ruling Democratic Party (DP) pushes through a significant restructuring of the country's legal framework.
The bill, which passed in a parliamentary plenary session, represents a decisive step in curtailing the authority of the prosecution service, a body that has long held substantial influence over South Korea's political and economic landscape.
This development marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing power struggle between the executive branch and the judiciary.
The removal of investigative powers is expected to fundamentally alter how major corporate and political cases are handled, potentially impacting market sentiment regarding regulatory stability and corporate governance in Seoul.
Investors are likely to monitor the situation closely for signs of further institutional instability.