Park Beom-gye: "Regarding the Investigation Report on Lee Seong-yoon, Whose Work Is It... Investigation and Media Are Very Closely Connected"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Amid the ongoing selection of the next Prosecutor General, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye expressed displeasure over reports about the indictment plan against Lee Seong-yoon, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Lee is a key suspect in the 'Kim Hak-ui former Deputy Minister of Justice illegal travel ban case' and is considered a strong candidate for the next Prosecutor General.

On the morning of the 16th, Minister Park, while arriving at the Government Complex Gwacheon, told reporters, "I don't know whose work this is, but I felt that the investigation is very closely linked with the media." He added, "Investigation is the duty of prosecutors, and if there are leads, prosecutors have no choice but to investigate, but I hope the idea that investigation is about timing is not heard. This is a moment that makes one think about various things." He also said, "There has been no official report from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office." This statement appears to suggest that media reports surrounding the investigation are influencing the selection of the Prosecutor General.

Minister Park was reserved about the selection process for the Prosecutor General. He said, "Although several people are being named in the media as candidates for the next Prosecutor General, the process of narrowing down the nominees recommended by the public has not yet begun," adding, "At this point, it is not possible to say who the leading candidate is." However, he stated, "We will begin preparations to recommend a candidate to the President."

On the same day, Minister Park also expressed his position on the issue of public disclosure of suspect facts by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. He said, "I understand that matters related to the public disclosure of suspect facts are being handled through the Supreme Prosecutors' Office or the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. I have deliberately not been briefed on the specific details," explaining, "Through joint inspections by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, various institutional improvements will be proposed." He added, "We will establish measures including creating equal rules for everyone from the perspective of fairness, addressing the so-called double standards issue. This will not be something that comes out immediately tomorrow or the day after, but will be thoroughly reviewed to create proper and fair rules this time."

Furthermore, Minister Park commented on the appointment of prosecutors to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongu-cheo), saying, "Gongu-cheo has been launched, and although not complete, prosecutors have been appointed," and added, "I ask that, in line with the original institutional design intent, they contribute to making our society healthier and more just through checks and balances."

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