Justice Minister Park Beom-kye says he conducted “sufficient communication” with related authorities, including the presidential office and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, regarding the reshuffle of lower-ranking senior prosecutors. 

He made the remark during a policy report to the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Monday before the ministry announced a reshuffle involving 18 prosecutors later in the day. 

The reshuffle, which did not affect chief investigators in several high-profile cases, came amid his alleged dispute with Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Shin Hyun-soo over the ministry’s earlier reshuffle of high-ranking senior prosecutors. 

The presidential secretary, who had tendered his resignation following the alleged discord with Park, indicated his change of mind on Monday and implied he will stay on the job to fulfill his responsibility. 

Justice Minister Park declined to comment on whether he talked with Shin on the follow-up reshuffle, but according to a senior presidential official, the two discussed the matter last week.