Park Sang-yong, a deputy chief prosecutor at the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, is under investigation for allegedly coercing testimony by providing salmon and alcohol during the North Korean remittance investigation involving Ssangbangwool. He has requested an opportunity to clarify the allegations and indicated he would file a lawsuit depending on the outcome of the disciplinary review.
According to legal sources, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held a meeting of its inspection committee on the afternoon of May 11 to deliberate on the disciplinary action against Park.
Speaking to reporters around 1:50 PM outside the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Park stated, "I have not been informed at all about what the allegations are or how many there are against me. I believe that even if there are grounds for disciplinary action, it should not be carried out based on a predetermined conclusion without giving me any procedural rights or opportunities to clarify my position."
He added, "If there were proper procedures in place, I would not have to stand before the media or wait indefinitely in the office. I would like to have the opportunity to clarify my case to the external committee members as if I were knocking on the door of a grievance office."
Furthermore, Park noted, "After the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's inspection committee, the matter will go to the Ministry of Justice, which also has its own inspection committee, and I understand that the final disciplinary decision will be made by the disciplinary committee. If a disciplinary action is ultimately imposed and I cannot accept it, I plan to file a lawsuit for cancellation."
Park is accused of providing salmon and alcohol to suspects, including former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young and former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Sung-tae, while investigating the North Korean remittance case.
The task force at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the allegations, reported to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on May 17, 2023, after confirming that such gatherings had taken place.
The second comprehensive special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, which is investigating remaining allegations following the three major special investigations (Kim Geon-hee, insurrection, and deceased Marines), received the North Korean remittance case from the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office task force last month and is currently conducting an investigation into what has been termed the "Presidential Office's interference in the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office investigation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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