Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo: "It is not true that the Porsche was rented for free... Payment was made"

Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo has completely denied related allegations, stating that he did not receive a luxury imported car free of charge from seafood businessman Kim, who is accused of giving money to prosecutors and police executives.

On the morning of the 5th, Special Prosecutor Park released a statement to the press, saying, "I would like to express my position regarding the report about seafood businessman Kim from Pohang." Earlier, a media outlet reported that Special Prosecutor Park received a Porsche vehicle free of charge from seafood businessman Kim, who was indicted and detained on charges of fraud amounting to 10 billion won.

Special Prosecutor Park explained that while it is true he used the vehicle, he paid for the costs. He stated, "While considering various car models to purchase a car for my wife, Kim recommended test-driving vehicles from a rental car company he operates through a lawyer. I rented the car for several days, then returned it and paid a rental fee of 2.5 million won."

Park emphasized, "I met Kim three years ago through an introduction by former journalist Song, and since then, we met two to three times for meals or occasionally exchanged customary greetings by phone, but I have never been involved in his business or participated in any events." He also explained, "I received gifts such as snow crabs and gwamegi (half-dried Pacific saury) three to four times during holidays, but I judged that these were neither expensive nor problematic gifts."

Park admitted that he introduced Kim to Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee, who was a member of the past special prosecution team investigating state affairs manipulation. Currently, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee is under police investigation on charges of receiving expensive watches and cash from Kim. Park said, "At a meal with Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee, who was transferred to the Pohang branch, I introduced Kim as someone who could help understand local circumstances and gave him Kim's phone number." He added, "I introduced Kim to Lee with the intention that Kim would advise Lee, who was unfamiliar with the region."

The police are currently verifying whether Special Prosecutor Park violated the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Park stated, "It was my fault to be careless, thinking of Kim as an acquaintance of trusted journalist Song." He apologized deeply, saying, "I sincerely apologize for causing controversy due to my imprudent conduct."

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