Minister Jung Sung-ho of the Ministry of Justice said on the 8th that prosecutor Park Sang-yong, who is suspended from duty, violated the obligation of political neutrality by attending the People Power Party's "hearing to uncover the truth about the Democratic Party's indictment cancellations and trial manipulation," and said he would launch an inspection.
The Minister said in a Facebook post that day that Park attended the People Power Party event on his own, saying, "Even if suspended from duty, it is common sense and a basic stance for a public official that a prosecutor must observe the obligation of political neutrality."
He added, "Attending an event led by a specific party, belittling the purpose of a parliamentary inquiry, and making one-sided claims about a case one investigated can be seen as a violation of the obligation of political neutrality as a prosecutor."
The Minister wrote, "I also ordered a prompt inspection into (Park's) repeated inappropriate conduct to take necessary measures," adding, "We will take any necessary actions as they arise going forward."
The Minister also said, "It is truly regrettable that, due to the wrongful actions of some political prosecutors in the past and a recent series of outbursts, even the many prosecutors who are quietly fulfilling their duties amid a surge in backlogged cases and staffing shortages are being criticized."
Appearing at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's full session that day, the Minister said the suspension of Park's duties was pursuant to the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Act and therefore lawful.
He said, "Suspension from duty is taken when a heavy penalty of suspension or more is anticipated, because continuing to work could undermine the fairness of investigations or public trust." He said the disciplinary action against Park would be concluded by the 17th of next month.
The Minister also said it was inappropriate that Park refused to take the witness oath at the "parliamentary inquiry into alleged fabricated indictments by political prosecutors under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration." He said, "At the time, he should have testified truthfully about the facts as they were, and if, in that process, an issue arose that could subject him to criminal punishment, he could refuse to testify on that part, couldn't he."
Regarding the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office human rights violation inspection task force (TF) inspecting him, Park said, "Given the atmosphere that disciplinary action will be handed down soon, I will immediately file an administrative suit to cancel it."
Earlier, on the 6th, the Minister suspended Park from duty the previous day, citing violations of official duties during the investigation into the SSANGBANGWOOL remittances to North Korea case and remarks and behavior raising doubts about the fairness of the investigation.