Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho has offered to resign, Kyunghyang Shinmun and others reported. Differences within the ruling bloc over the direction of prosecution reform are cited as background.

The ruling party has pushed to pass bills at a plenary session including abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers. Voices vary inside and outside the party and government over the pace and scope of reform.

The minister's offer to resign is seen as a variable that could affect the timing of reform legislation and the succession. Whether it will be accepted, and when a successor will be named, is not yet decided.

Reforming the prosecution system involves many principles—dividing investigative and indictment powers, protecting citizens' rights. Each camp argues the need and pace of reform on different grounds.

Rather than take a side, we watch by what process institutional change proceeds, reporting on whether the resignation is accepted and how ensuing debate unfolds, centered on facts.