Park Beom-gye "Son Jun-sung, a close aide among Yoon Seok-yeol's inner circle... Digital evidence manipulation is difficult"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Regarding the allegations of 'prosecution request for accusation' involving former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye stated that "(Prosecutor Son Joon-sung) was one of the closest aides to former Prosecutor General Yoon."

On the afternoon of the 16th, Minister Park made this statement in response to a question from Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the National Assembly's government questioning session.

On that day, Minister Park emphasized, "Since yesterday, in addition to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, the Central District Prosecutors' Office Public Investigation Division 1 has launched a sudden investigation," adding, "The fact-finding efforts are gaining momentum, almost like a joint investigation."

When asked whether it was true that Prosecutor Son sent the accusation document to Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, via Telegram, he replied, "Considering various circumstances, it is reasonable to believe so." He further added, "This is based on multiple interviews with whistleblower Jo Seong-eun, digital information from Telegram where manipulation is extremely unlikely, and statements made by Jo to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department and the Corruption Investigation Office that align with the interviews."

He particularly emphasized regarding the Telegram messages, "Unless evidence of manipulation is provided, they are highly credible and possess strong evidentiary value."

In response to a question from Choi Hyung-doo, a member of the People Power Party, about the difference from the Kim Dae-up case, Minister Park said, "Kim Dae-up initially presented a recording file and a full statement," and added, "This case involves digital evidence reflecting changes in the times, which is difficult to manipulate."

Regarding the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's 'response document to the Prosecutor General's mother-in-law case,' he conveyed, "Even the former Prosecutor General Yoon's camp acknowledged the document and said it was for media and National Assembly response purposes." He also added, "If it was for media response, it is even more problematic, and saying it was for National Assembly response is an inappropriate excuse since the Prosecutor General is not the one appearing before the Assembly," and "I agree with the criticism that this is a privatization of the prosecution."

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