The embattled Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok called for a halt to discussions on disciplinary action against prosecutors during a farewell ceremony held for him at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in southern Seoul on Friday.

Noh made the request in a speech he gave during the ceremony, where he also acknowledged criticism regarding the lack of communication and explanation regarding his office’s decision not to appeal a ruling in the high-profile Daejang-dong development corruption case.

His departure comes two days after he offered to resign amid internal backlash over the handling of the case, which many prosecutors said violated standard procedure.

Despite speculation that Noh would reveal more regarding his decision-making process, including how the justice ministry’s opinions on the matter were considered, he made no such comments.

Noh did however express regret regarding calls being made by the government and ruling party to discipline those within the prosecution who opposed his decision not to appeal, and asked that such actions be dropped.

He also asked for more support for the prosecution so that it can fulfill its fundamental role of protecting people from crime.

On Friday morning, the ruling Democratic Party submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat an amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act that would allow prosecutors to be removed like other civil servants, along with another bill to repeal the Act on Discipline of Prosecutors, which caps disciplinary measures for prosecutors at dismissal.