Prosecutor Park Sang-yong, accused in the so-called "salmon and alcohol party testimony coaxing" case, stated his position for about an hour on the 11th before the Supreme Prosecutors' Office inspection committee.
After finishing his appearance before the Supreme Prosecutors' Office inspection committee at about 6:17 p.m. that day, Prosecutor Park met with reporters and said, "Thanks to the consideration of the inspection committee members, I was able to explain myself." He said, "I am sincerely grateful to have been able to explain myself regardless of the outcome," adding, "I will repay that grace by living diligently."
When reporters asked, "What points did you explain?" Prosecutor Park said, "Today, they informed me for the first time (at the inspection committee) of my alleged charges: the so-called bringing in of alcohol, the existence of a transcript, repeated summonses, insufficient entries in documents, and the consumption of outside food," adding, "There are parts that differ from the facts in all of them, and I explained myself fully."
According to Prosecutor Park, there had been no separate notice regarding the inspection charges or grounds for suspension from duty. That is why Prosecutor Park voluntarily came to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building around 2 p.m. that day to appear before the inspection committee. He said, "No matter the wrongdoing or discipline, discipline must not be carried out based on a predetermined conclusion without any procedural right to defense or opportunity to explain."
After waiting for about three hours at the civil service office, Prosecutor Park, guided by an investigator from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office inspection department, appeared before the inspection committee around 5 p.m.
Prosecutor Park is suspected of having, on May 17, 2023, while investigating the SSANGBANGWOOL remittances to North Korea case at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, tried to induce statements from suspects including former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young and former SSANGBANGWOOL Chairman Kim Sung-tae, by providing salmon and alcohol, to the effect that Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung was involved in the remittances to North Korea.
The Seoul High Prosecutors' Office human rights violation inspection task force (TF), after inspecting the allegation, reportedly concluded that there had been a drinking gathering at the time and reported this to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. However, Prosecutor Park denies the allegation, saying, "None of it is true."
The disciplinary statute of limitations for Prosecutor Park runs until the 17th. The inspection committee is expected to soon decide whether to discipline Prosecutor Park and convey its views to Acting Prosecutor General Gu Ja-hyun. Acting chief Gu must then decide whether to request discipline from the Ministry of Justice. If the Ministry of Justice receives a disciplinary request, it will either review additional discipline at the ministry's inspection committee or decide discipline immediately at the disciplinary committee.