Park Beom-gye: "Regarding the LH Incident, the Prosecutor's Role... Will Maximize Within Authority"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is attending a meeting of high prosecutors regarding allegations of real estate speculation by LH employees, held on the 15th at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, stated, "We will seek the opinions of high prosecutors on ways to maximize the role of the prosecution within its authority regarding the LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation) speculation scandal."

Minister Park made these remarks on the morning of the 15th at 10:30 AM when he attended a meeting of high prosecutors held at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office and spoke with the press.

He explained, "Since the high prosecutors have a lot of experience and expertise, I organized this meeting to share concerns about the issues worrying the public and to hear their good ideas." In response to a question about criticisms that the prosecution's role is ineffective due to limited investigative authority, he replied, "Rather than being limited, the investigative authority has been reformed as part of prosecution reform," adding, "Nevertheless, there are still many roles the prosecution can perform."

When asked whether he is considering dispatching additional prosecutors for the LH investigation, he said, "Rather than specific details, I intend to seek opinions on ways to maximize the prosecution's role within its current authority concerning the public's concerns about the LH speculation scandal." However, when asked if he believes the ruling party bears no responsibility for the prosecution's accountability issue raised three years ago, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "That is a matter I find difficult to respond to."

Regarding the possibility of exercising investigative supervision over the 'Han Myeong-sook perjury coaching suspicion,' he stated, "We are looking at both the process and the outcome on two tracks," and added, "After today's meeting, I plan to personally review the 6,000-page inspection records upon returning to the Ministry of Justice."

Additionally, concerning the decision not to approve the extension of the dispatch period for the prosecutor in charge of investigating the 'Kim Hak-ui former vice minister's illegal emergency travel ban suspicion,' he responded, "It was done according to law and principles." He further added, "After the meeting, if there are any necessary points, I will provide more information through our spokesperson."

Meanwhile, at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office's main conference room on the same day, a meeting of high prosecutors was held, presided over by Minister Park, with six frontline high prosecutors including Cho Sang-chul, head of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, and Bae Seong-beom, head of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, participating. At this meeting, Minister Park is scheduled to listen to advice and improvement requests from frontline high prosecutors regarding the investigation of speculation cases related to the LH incident, under the themes of 'Measures to respond to real estate speculation criminals' and 'Strengthening the prosecution's expertise in economic crimes.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.