Prosecutor Park Sang-yong, who is under scrutiny for alleged coercion of testimony related to a "salmon party" during the investigation into the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case, is expected to face disciplinary action soon.
According to legal sources on May 10, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office plans to hold a disciplinary committee meeting as early as May 11 to discuss Park's case.
The committee can summon the subject of the investigation if deemed necessary, but Park stated he has not received any notification. He has expressed a desire for an opportunity to explain himself and plans to wait at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office starting the morning of May 11 for the committee's proceedings.
The disciplinary committee consists of 5 to 9 members, including both external figures from the legal, academic, media, and business sectors, as well as internal members.
While the Attorney General is not obligated to follow the committee's recommendations, they have generally adhered to its decisions in the past.
Even if the committee decides on the disciplinary action and its severity, there are still procedural steps before a final decision is made.
If the Attorney General determines that disciplinary action is warranted, they must submit a request to the Ministry of Justice at least 17 days before the statute of limitations expires.
Subsequently, the Minister of Justice, who chairs the prosecutor disciplinary committee, will decide on one of five levels of discipline: reprimand, suspension, demotion, dismissal, or termination.
According to the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act, all disciplinary actions except for reprimands are executed by the President, who holds the appointment authority, upon the Minister of Justice's recommendation.
If a judge or prosecutor is dismissed as a result of disciplinary action, they are barred from practicing law for three years.
During the review process by the prosecution and the Ministry of Justice, the level of discipline may change.
In a related case, former prosecutor Kim Sang-min, who held a book launch event while still in office and expressed intentions to run for the National Assembly, faced a suspension request from former Attorney General Lee Won-seok in January 2024.
The Ministry of Justice recommended a dismissal, which is two levels higher than suspension, but the disciplinary committee ultimately decided on a three-month suspension.
The Minister of Justice can also initiate disciplinary requests, leading to situations where the Supreme Prosecutors' Office may deem disciplinary action unnecessary, yet the Ministry of Justice re-evaluates the case.
While Park denies the allegations of testimony coercion, criticism from the ruling party has intensified, suggesting that the investigation was manipulated. Controversy is expected to continue even after the disciplinary decision is made.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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