Deputy Chief Prosecutor Park Sang-yong of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, who was referred for discipline over rule violations during the investigation into the "SSANGBANGWOOL remittances to North Korea case," appeared before the Ministry of Justice inspection committee on the 13th.
The Ministry of Justice convened the inspection committee at about 2 p.m. that day and deliberated disciplinary action over six allegations, including coercive investigation, attending a People Power Party-only hearing, and using Facebook while on duty.
Coming out around 4:30 p.m. after the committee's deliberation, Prosecutor Park said, "The actual time I spoke would not even add up to a total of 10 minutes," adding, "It was less a chance to explain and more like, 'If you have anything to say, go ahead.'" Park added, "Not a single Commissioner asked a question, which made me think the outcome had already been decided."
On the disciplinary charges, Park said, "The facts were completely distorted or contained false information," adding, "I doubted whether the inspectors had fully grasped the disciplinary details."
Regarding the Ministry of Justice's recent appointment of five additional inspectors, Park criticized it as "an act similar to a player swapping out the referee or a prosecutor replacing the judge in a trial," calling it "highly inappropriate."
In April, the Ministry of Justice suspended Park from duty over alleged breaches of official duties and conduct casting doubt on the neutrality of the investigation during the SSANGBANGWOOL remittances to North Korea probe. The initial two-month suspension was later extended to "until a separate reassignment is issued."
On the 5th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, after an inspection committee review, asked the Ministry of Justice to impose a two-month suspension on Park. Park faces allegations that, during the investigation, Park mentioned another case to the defense for former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young while demanding a confession; summoned an inmate for questioning without preparing a process verification statement; and provided outside food and visitation conveniences.
However, the so-called "salmon drinking party," in which prosecutors allegedly plied former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young with alcohol to induce statements, was not included as a ground for discipline.
It was also reported that additional discipline was requested over Park's remarks at the People Power Party's solo "hearing to uncover the truth about the Democratic Party's indictment withdrawal and trial rigging," as well as over writing a Facebook post during working hours.
The inspection committee plans to vote on whether and how severely to discipline Park and recommend its decision to Minister Jung Sung-ho of the Ministry of Justice. Minister Jung will refer to the committee's decision, convene a future prosecutors' disciplinary committee, and make the final decision on whether and how severely to discipline Park.
There are five types of disciplinary measures for prosecutors: dismissal, removal from office, suspension, pay reduction, and reprimand. Generally, suspension or higher is classified as severe discipline.
However, the inspection committee previously recommended a "reprimand" for the trial prosecutors who filed a recusal motion and left the courtroom in the trial over the "perjury in the alcohol party allegation" involving former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young.