Ministry of Justice: "Special Prosecutor's Interpretation on Public Official Status is Inappropriate... Matters Related to Investigation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The Ministry of Justice expressed reluctance to former Special Prosecutor Park Young-soo's claim that the Ministry should provide an authoritative interpretation on whether a special prosecutor qualifies as a public official.

On the 19th, the Ministry of Justice stated in a press release, citing Article 26, Paragraph 8 of the Legal Affairs Operation Regulations, that "it is not appropriate for the Ministry of Justice to provide an authoritative interpretation on specific investigation-related matters."

Article 26, Paragraph 8 of the Legal Affairs Operation Regulations states that when a request for legal interpretation concerns specific factual determinations or the legality or impropriety of actions already taken, the Ministry may refuse to respond to the request from the petitioner.

Former Special Prosecutor Park recently resigned amid allegations that he received a Porsche rental car and snow crabs and gwamegi from Kim (43), who impersonated a fisheries businessman.

The police investigating Kim requested an authoritative interpretation from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on whether former Special Prosecutor Park qualifies as a public official, and the Commission responded that he does.

In response, former Special Prosecutor Park argued that "according to the Government Organization Act and related laws, authoritative interpretations regarding penalty provisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission does not have the authority to provide legal interpretations," insisting that an authoritative interpretation from the Ministry of Justice is necessary.

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