Park Beom-gye Draws Sword... Taking Strong Measures on 'Gobal Saju' Allegations

Mention of Investigation System Transition... Possibility of Forced Investigation Exceeding Joint Inspection Depending on Supreme Prosecutors' Office Fact-Finding Results

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is attending the plenary session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The Ministry of Justice is increasingly likely to conduct a forced investigation into the so-called ‘report solicitation’ allegations involving former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. Depending on the timing and content of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office’s fact-finding announcement, Minister Park may choose to shift from a joint inspection to a ‘transition to an investigative system.’

On the 7th, the Ministry of Justice completed all legal reviews regarding whether this case qualifies as a public interest report, detailed legal issues, and the investigative authority, and is currently conducting additional fact verification.

The key issue is whether Prosecutor Son Joon-sung, who was the head of the Investigation Information Policy Office at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office last April before the general election, delivered an indictment against ruling party politicians to Kim Woong, a candidate for the Future United Party (now the People Power Party). The Ministry of Justice is examining this process, including whether former Prosecutor General Yoon was aware of or involved in the report solicitation.

Minister Park is considering the forced investigation option beyond joint inspection. At an urgent current affairs inquiry at the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day, Minister Park said, "I believe there was a relationship beyond that between former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol and Officer Son Joon-sung," adding, "Since the parties deny it, if the investigation is insufficient, we must consider transitioning to an investigative system."

The variable is the investigation results from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which started a fact-finding investigation under the direction of Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has secured Prosecutor Son’s PC, who was identified as the person who delivered the indictment, and is investigating. They are tracking related traces to determine whether Son was actually involved in drafting the indictment.

However, it is difficult to grasp the substance with only the Supreme Prosecutors' Office’s fact-finding investigation. To confirm whether there were Telegram messages and image file transmissions between Prosecutor Son and People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong, it is essential to review Son’s laptop and mobile phone.

While there is a possibility of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office initiating an inspection, more time is expected to be needed to ascertain the facts. Inspections themselves cannot be forced investigations, and it is necessary to verify records such as whether there is a KICS (Criminal Justice Information System) record of the judgment document that Son allegedly delivered to lawmaker Kim. Since judgment documents with real names can only be obtained by sitting judges or prosecutors, if Son was involved, there would be a record in KICS. Moreover, if no trace of Son is found in this process, the possibility that someone else received and delivered it must be considered, requiring even more time.

Given Minister Park’s mention of the possibility of transitioning to an investigative system, the Ministry of Justice may request an investigation from the prosecution. If the current allegations are applied as violations of the Public Official Election Act, it falls within the prosecution’s six direct investigation categories. While the authority to investigate crimes by prosecutors lies with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, election law violations are subject to direct prosecution by the prosecution.

A lawyer formerly with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office said, "Although the Ministry of Justice has stated that it has completed legal reviews, the specific legal process is more complicated regardless of the facts," adding, "Regardless of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office’s fact-finding results, the likelihood of Minister Park ordering joint inspections or forced investigations has increased, so it will be difficult for investigation results from various agencies, including the Corruption Investigation Office, to come out in the short term."

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