1. Overview
Jung Hong-won (정홍원Korean; born 9 October 1944) is a South Korean politician and former prosecutor who served as the 42nd Prime Minister of South Korea from 2013 to 2015 under conservative President Park Geun-hye. His tenure was marked by significant challenges, including his controversial appointment and the government's criticized response to the Sewol ferry disaster, which led to his resignation and unprecedented retention in office. Known for his extensive legal career as a prosecutor, Jung also held key public service roles, including positions at the National Election Commission of South Korea and the Korea Legal Aid Corporation.
2. Early life and education
Jung Hong-won was born on 9 October 1944, in Hadong County, South Gyeongsang Province, which was then under Japanese rule. He was the tenth of twelve children, with six brothers and six sisters. According to relatives, his family was not impoverished, as his father came from a scholarly background and employed servants. Recognizing his intelligence, a relative living in Busan took him in, allowing him to attend Yeongdo Elementary School and Gyeongnam Middle School in Busan. However, his father, disappointed after his third eldest brother abandoned his judicial examination studies, recalled Jung to their hometown, believing further education would be futile. This decision was also influenced by the financial strain of supporting a large family. Consequently, Jung could not attend Gyeongnam High School, which he had desired. He later stated in an interview that he compromised with his father by enrolling in a normal school to help support the family.
After graduating from Jinju Normal School, Jung's first teaching assignment was in Seoul. He worked as a teacher at Inwang Elementary School in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun District, during the day to earn money, while simultaneously pursuing a law degree through the night program at Sungkyunkwan University. He successfully passed the 14th Judicial Examination in 1972, the same year as Kim Hwang-sik, who would later become Prime Minister. In 1975, shortly after his marriage, Jung experienced the tragic loss of his first wife in a fire. He later remarried Choi Ok-ja, with whom he has one son, Jung Woo-jun.
3. Legal career
After passing the Judicial Examination in 1972, Jung Hong-won began his distinguished career as a prosecutor, serving for three decades. His first prosecutorial assignment was at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office's Yeongdeungpo Branch in 1974. Throughout his career, he held various significant positions, including Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office and the Gwangju High Prosecutors' Office. He also served as the Chief Prosecutor of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office's Ulsan Branch and later as the Chief of the Inspection Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office from 1999 to 2000. He subsequently served as Chief Prosecutor for both the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office (2000-2002) and the Busan District Prosecutors' Office (2002-2003).
Jung gained a reputation as a "special investigator" for his handling of several high-profile cases. In 1982, he was involved in the Lee-Chang scandal, a major financial fraud case involving relatives of then-President Chun Doo-hwan, which led to their prosecution. He also handled the escape case of the notorious thief "Dae-do" Jo Se-hyung and the Walker Hill Casino foreign currency smuggling case. In 1991, while serving as the head of the third division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Central Investigation Department, he successfully identified and apprehended South Korea's first computer hacker. As Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, he introduced the "Civilian Guardian" system to improve public access to legal services. Furthermore, during his tenure as Chief of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Inspection Department, he implemented a strict "no daytime drinking" rule for prosecutors, demonstrating his commitment to internal reform within the prosecution service.
4. Public service and other activities
After resigning from his position as a prosecutor in 2003, Jung Hong-won continued his career in public service and legal advocacy. He was appointed as the 27th President of the Institute of Justice (법무연수원Korean), an institution responsible for training legal professionals. In 2004, he made a notable decision to step down from this role to create opportunities for his junior colleagues within the prosecution service.
From October 2004 to September 2006, Jung served as the 12th Standing Commissioner of the Republic of Korea National Election Commission. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in electoral reform efforts. He was a key proponent of introducing the manifesto movement in South Korea and was involved in the implementation of the electronic voting system, contributing significantly to enhancing the transparency and efficiency of the country's election processes.
Between June 2008 and June 2011, he served as the 9th President of the Korea Legal Aid Corporation (대한법률구조공단Korean), an organization dedicated to providing legal assistance to those in need. In 2004, following his departure from the Institute of Justice, he also worked as a representative lawyer at the law firm Logos, and later as a senior advisor at Logos Law Firm from 2006 to 2008. Notably, during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he was recommended by the Korean Bar Association as a special prosecutor candidate for the Samsung slush fund scandal, highlighting his recognized expertise and integrity within the legal community.
5. Political career
Jung Hong-won formally entered the political sphere in January 2012, ahead of the 19th general election. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Public Candidate Recommendation Committee for the then-ruling Grand National Party, which was later renamed the Saenuri Party (now the People Power Party). In this role, he was responsible for vetting and recommending candidates for the party. This position allowed him to establish a significant connection with Park Geun-hye, who was then the interim leader of the party's emergency response committee.
Following the general election, Jung retired from direct political engagement, maintaining a low profile and refraining from political statements. However, his association with Park Geun-hye proved pivotal. After Park's victory in the 2012 South Korean presidential election, she initially nominated Kim Yong-jun, a former President of the Constitutional Court of Korea, as her first Prime Minister. However, Kim withdrew his nomination amidst various allegations, including issues related to his sons and real estate speculation. On 8 February 2013, Jung Hong-won was subsequently nominated as the first Prime Minister for President-elect Park Geun-hye's administration. He officially assumed office on 26 February 2013, following the National Assembly of South Korea's confirmation of his nomination.
6. Tenure as Prime Minister
Jung Hong-won's tenure as Prime Minister under President Park Geun-hye commenced on 26 February 2013. He was the 42nd individual to hold the office. During his term, he also served as the Chairman of the Regulatory Reform Committee from February 2013 to February 2015 and as Honorary Organizing Committee Chairman for the Daegu World Energy Congress in April 2013. From September 2014 to July 2015, he was a co-chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade.
Early in his term, Jung addressed public concerns regarding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster. On 2 August 2013, during a national policy coordination meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, he called for the tracking and punishment of individuals spreading "hoaxes" about the import of radioactive contaminated food from Fukushima. He stated that such rumors were rapidly spreading online, causing public anxiety, and urged relevant agencies to eradicate these acts by punishing malicious rumor-mongers.
In November 2013, Jung faced criticism during a parliamentary interpellation session regarding a controversial history textbook published by GyoHakSa. The textbook described Japan's historical aggression as "advance" rather than "invasion," sparking outrage among opposition lawmakers. When questioned, Jung responded that it was "a matter for historians to judge," avoiding a direct answer. This response led to strong condemnation from opposition members, who questioned his suitability as Prime Minister of South Korea, and caused a partial walkout by lawmakers from the Democratic Party. Critics labeled him a "proxy Prime Minister" (대독총리Korean), suggesting he merely read statements prepared by President Park Geun-hye's office without independent thought.
The most significant event during his premiership was the Sewol ferry disaster on 16 April 2014, which resulted in the deaths of over 300 people. The government's handling of the disaster faced widespread public and media criticism for its perceived inadequacy and slow response. On 27 April 2014, Jung Hong-won publicly apologized to the nation and announced his resignation, taking responsibility for the government's shortcomings. President Park Geun-hye initially accepted his resignation in principle. However, the subsequent nominations for his replacement encountered difficulties. Ahn Dae-hee, a former Supreme Court Justice, withdrew his nomination due to allegations of exorbitant legal fees received after leaving public service. Later, Moon Chang-geuk, a former journalist, also withdrew his nomination amid controversy over his past remarks, which were perceived as pro-Japanese. With no suitable successor found, President Park Geun-hye announced on 26 June 2014, that Jung Hong-won would remain in office. This decision was unprecedented in South Korean constitutional history, as it marked the first time a Prime Minister who had tendered his resignation and had it accepted in principle was subsequently retained. Jung continued to lead the Cabinet until a new Prime Minister was confirmed. He formally stepped down on 16 February 2015, 296 days after his initial resignation announcement, when Lee Wan-koo, the floor leader of the Saenuri Party, was confirmed as his successor.
7. Foreign relations and statements
Jung Hong-won's public statements on foreign policy, particularly concerning relations with Japan, drew attention during his tenure as Prime Minister.
On 17 November 2013, at the 75th Day of Martyred Patriots ceremony held at the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Seoul, Jung delivered a speech asserting that Japan had "not yet shown true apology and reflection on history." This statement underscored the South Korean government's consistent demand for Japan to address historical issues, particularly those related to its colonial past, with greater sincerity.
On 10 January 2015, during a press conference in Sejong City, Jung commented on the rising anti-Korean sentiment in Japan, often referred to as "hating Korea" (嫌韓Japanese). He claimed that Japan had historically referred to South Korea as an "elder brother country" (형님 나라Korean) and suggested that the anti-Korean sentiment might stem from "psychological issues" on Japan's part, given South Korea's advancements in various fields. This remark, implying a sense of superiority, was interpreted by some as a reflection of South Korea's growing confidence on the international stage, while others viewed it as potentially exacerbating tensions rather than fostering reconciliation.
8. Controversies and criticism
Jung Hong-won's nomination and tenure as Prime Minister were met with several controversies and criticisms, raising questions about his ethical conduct and the Park Geun-hye administration's vetting process.
8.1. Residential relocation
On 13 February 2013, during his nomination process, Jung Hong-won admitted to allegations of residential relocation (위장전입Korean, *wijangjeonip*), a practice of registering one's address at a location where one does not actually reside, often for illicit benefits. He confirmed that he had falsely registered his address at his sister's house in Guro District, Seoul, while serving as the Chief of the Special Investigation Department at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office in 1988.
His preparation team explained in a press release that he had moved his address to his sister's house because he was a homeless person at the time and had subscribed to a housing savings account, which made him eligible for first-priority public housing subscription. If he had moved his address to Busan with his family, his first-priority status would have been revoked. At the time, the Ministry of Construction's regulations were rigid, revoking subscription eligibility if a first-priority subscriber moved their address outside Seoul, even for work-related reasons. The system was later amended in March 1989 to re-grant first-priority status to those who returned to Seoul after transferring for work. As a result of maintaining his first-priority status through the false registration, Jung was able to purchase an apartment in Banpo-dong, Seocho District, Seoul, in December 1992, where he has resided ever since.
This admission drew significant public criticism, as such practices were considered ethical breaches for high-ranking public officials. Critics highlighted that previous nominees, such as Prime Minister-designate Jang Sang during the Kim Dae-jung administration and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Lee Heon-jae during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, had withdrawn or resigned due to similar residential relocation issues. Despite the controversy, Saenuri Party lawmaker Hong Il-pyo, the party's representative for Jung's confirmation hearing, defended him, stating that the relocation was not malicious and was due to the overly rigid housing subscription system at the time. During the National Assembly confirmation hearing on 21 February 2013, Jung expressed regret, stating, "I am sorry, but I had to move [my address], and at that time, I had no house and had a housing subscription savings account. If I moved my address to Busan, it would become invalid." He added that while he violated the law, he felt "a little unfairly treated" given the circumstances.
8.2. Son's military service exemption
Another significant controversy revolved around Jung Hong-won's son, Jung Woo-jun, and his exemption from military service. In 1997, during his second year of university, Jung Woo-jun received a Grade 1 active duty military service classification in his initial physical examination. However, in 2001, while pursuing his master's degree, he underwent a re-examination and was classified as Grade 5, exempting him from service due to a condition diagnosed as herniated nucleus pulposus (수핵탈추증Korean, disc herniation). This exemption occurred after he had postponed his enlistment for four years for academic reasons.
Jung's office explained that his son developed back problems due to long hours of experiments involving power amplifiers and various equipment during his master's program. The pain intensified after a trip to the East Coast with friends, particularly after driving. Upon returning to Seoul, he was diagnosed at a spine specialist hospital, Gangnam 21C Hospital, which recommended immediate surgery. However, fearing surgical complications, he opted for over a year of non-surgical treatment. The Prime Minister's Office stated that Jung Woo-jun submitted a diagnosis from Gangnam St. Mary's Hospital to the Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration on 30 October 2001. The administration conducted its own CT scan and, on 8 November, the Physical Grade Determination Deliberation Committee unanimously ruled for a Grade 5 exemption. The diagnosis noted "low back pain and radiating pain in the right leg, which is expected to restrict movement." The office also asserted that it would have been impossible to fake a military exemption, especially since Jung Hong-won was serving as Chief Prosecutor of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office at the time, making him a public official subject to strict scrutiny.
The controversy was further fueled by the fact that Jung Woo-jun passed the Judicial Examination in 2006, after his military exemption, and became a prosecutor in 2013. Critics questioned how he could prepare for an exam requiring long hours of sitting and studying while undergoing treatment for a severe disc condition. Medical records released by the Prime Minister's Office did not include information from 2005 to 2006, the period around his judicial exam success. Saenuri Party lawmaker Hong Il-pyo stated that while he did not expect the issue to lead to Jung's withdrawal, a thorough verification of his explanation was necessary.
9. Post-retirement activities
Following his departure from the Prime Minister's office in February 2015, Jung Hong-won remained active in various capacities, particularly in religious and civic engagements, and later returned to political involvement.
As a Christian elder, Jung dedicated his time to the Sanmaru Church, where he participated in worship services with homeless individuals, volunteered in food distribution, and delivered lectures. In 2018, he published his memoir, "Jung Hong-won Story," and held a book signing event at Sanmaru Space on 23 December 2018, coinciding with a Christmas commemorative service.
In August 2021, Jung was appointed as the Chairman of the Election Management Committee for the People Power Party's primary for the 20th presidential election. In this role, he oversaw the internal party process for selecting the presidential candidate. From November 2023 to May 2024, he served as the Standing Chairman of the National Elder Council, an advisory body composed of elder statesmen.
On 27 July 2020, Jung released a 24-minute video titled "An Appeal to the Citizens of the Republic of Korea." In the video, he openly criticized the administration of then-President Moon Jae-in, asserting that the country was experiencing a "collapse and destruction in all areas." He also offered advice and expectations for the opposition People Power Party (then the Future United Party), urging them to play a more effective role. This public statement marked his re-entry into the political discourse, aligning himself with conservative critiques of the incumbent government.
10. Evaluation and impact
Jung Hong-won's public career, spanning three decades as a prosecutor and culminating in his two-year term as Prime Minister, presents a complex legacy. As a prosecutor, he was lauded for his investigative prowess, successfully handling high-profile cases and implementing reforms such as the "no daytime drinking" rule, which aimed to improve the integrity of the prosecution service. His roles in the National Election Commission and the Korea Legal Aid Corporation also highlight his contributions to legal and democratic institutions, particularly his efforts in promoting the manifesto movement and electronic voting.
However, his political career, especially his tenure as Prime Minister, was overshadowed by significant controversies and criticisms, which impacted public trust in the government. The allegations of residential relocation and his son's military service exemption, while defended by his team, raised ethical questions about the standards expected of high-ranking officials. These issues contributed to a perception of moral hazard within the political elite.
His time as Prime Minister under President Park Geun-hye was largely defined by the government's response to the Sewol ferry disaster. The widespread criticism of the government's handling of the tragedy, including its perceived slow and inadequate rescue efforts, led directly to Jung's public resignation. His subsequent, unprecedented retention in office, due to the withdrawal of two successive nominees, further fueled public discontent and highlighted the administration's difficulties in managing crises and personnel. Critics often labeled him a "proxy Prime Minister," suggesting a lack of independent authority and an overreliance on directives from the presidential office.
Furthermore, his statements on historical issues with Japan and the GyoHakSa textbook controversy, where he deferred to historians rather than taking a clear stance on historical facts, were seen by some as insensitive and indicative of a conservative perspective that downplayed historical grievances. In his post-retirement activities, his vocal criticism of the subsequent Moon Jae-in administration further solidified his image as a figure aligned with conservative political discourse.
Overall, Jung Hong-won's career reflects a dedicated public servant with a strong legal background, but his political leadership faced considerable scrutiny, particularly regarding ethical standards, crisis management, and responsiveness to public sentiment. His legacy is thus a mixed one, marked by both professional achievements and significant political challenges that shaped public perception during a tumultuous period in South Korean politics.