Park Beom-gye "Agreement with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Measures on Han Myeong-sook Investigation Team Is Not Hypocrisy"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is announcing measures to improve prosecutorial investigation practices on the 14th at the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province. / Gwacheon - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, said he "agrees" with the conclusion of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Committee, which cleared two prosecutors from the former Han Myeong-sook investigation team who were suspected of misconduct.

On the 15th, while on his way to work at the Government Complex Gwacheon, Minister Park told reporters, "Appropriate measures have been taken by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office regarding the investigation team," expressing his agreement.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Committee decided to clear one prosecutor and issue a non-prosecution (불문, non-disciplinary action despite acknowledgment of cause) decision for another among the two prosecutors suspected of misconduct in the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook investigation team. Non-prosecution means that although there is a disciplinary cause, it is deemed appropriate not to impose disciplinary action.

Minister Park emphasized during the announcement of the joint inspection results on the former Prime Minister Han's case the previous day that the process was not intended to punish any specific individual. His statement agreeing with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Committee's decision on this day is interpreted in the same context.

Minister Park said, "The Ministry of Justice Inspection Office also met with the prosecutors in question," adding, "If necessary, the investigation details of these prosecutors have been recorded in the official reports."

Meanwhile, some have criticized the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's move to hold an inspection committee and take measures against the investigation team as unnecessary.

Regarding this, Minister Park distanced himself by saying, "It is a process conducted internally by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office," and added, "It is not a significant contradiction." He further explained, "It is about overcoming the wrongful investigative methods that existed in past special investigations and creating an investigative culture that the public can sympathize with."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has also launched a fact-finding investigation equivalent to an inspection into whether a 'sponsor culture' exists within the prosecution. The Inspection Office is considering measures such as strengthening covert inspections conducted in private.

Minister Park said, "I have never mentioned covert inspections myself," but added, "Various methods are entirely entrusted to the Inspection Office."

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