The Supreme Prosecutors' Office decided to request disciplinary action from the Ministry of Justice against Prosecutor Park Sang-yong, who is suspected of the so-called "salmon-and-liquor party to coax testimony."
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said on the 12th that, as a result of an inspection of Prosecutor Park Sang-yong over alleged misconduct during the investigation into the North Korea remittance case, it confirmed misconduct that violated related procedural rules and, after a review by the inspection committee, requested disciplinary action from the Ministry of Justice.
According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the Human Rights Infringement Check Task Force (TF) of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office inspected Park and confirmed the following: ▲ he improperly demanded a confession through a defense attorney while referencing investigations in another case ▲ he failed to prepare a statement-of-process confirmation despite having summoned and questioned a detainee ▲ he provided food or facilitated meetings without justifiable reason.
However, it said it did not request disciplinary action, respecting the resolution of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office inspection committee, regarding the failure to prevent alcohol from being brought in and served due to poor oversight, and the unnecessary repeated summoning of a witness.
Earlier, on the 11th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office convened an inspection committee on Park. Park had not been separately asked to appear, but volunteered to do so, visited the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building, and was given about an hour to explain. After attending the committee, Park told reporters, "There were parts that differed from the facts, and I explained fully," adding, "I am grateful to be able to explain, whatever the conclusion may be."
On May 17, 2023, while investigating the SSANGBANGWOOL North Korea remittance case at the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, Park was alleged to have served salmon and liquor to suspects including former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young and former SSANGBANGWOOL Chairman Kim Seong-tae in an attempt to elicit testimony to the effect that then-Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung was involved in the remittances to North Korea.
Following the Supreme Prosecutors' Office request for disciplinary action, the Ministry of Justice is expected to soon convene the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Committee and decide the level of discipline (dismissal, removal from office, suspension, pay reduction, or reprimand).