Justice Minister Park Beom-kye says preparatory work to select the next prosecutor general has begun.

Park made the remark in a meeting with reporters on Friday, adding a committee to recommend candidates will be swiftly formed. It was known that the ministry is reviewing a pool of experts to be appointed as members of the recommendation committee. 

Asked as to what should be prioritized in selecting the top prosecutor, the minister said he has certain standards in mind and that he would discuss them with others. 

Park also expressed regret over Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl’s early resignation that came four months before his term's expiry. He hoped prosecutors would not be disaffected by the top prosecutor's departure. Park declined to comment on speculation that Yoon would seek a new career as a politician. 

Yoon expressed his intent to step down on Thursday in protest of the ruling bloc’s bid to remove the prosecution’s right to investigate as part of the government's prosecution reform drive.