Park Beom-gye "Daejang-dong Allegations Must Be Quickly Clarified"... "Considering Abolishing the Office of Investigation Information Policy"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, expressed on the 23rd that the preferential treatment allegations related to the Daejang-dong development project are "matters that need to be promptly clarified."

He also announced that he is considering abolishing the Investigation Information Policy Office of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which was the starting point of the 'report solicitation' allegations.

On the morning of the same day, while on his way to the Government Complex Gwacheon, Minister Park responded to reporters' questions regarding the Daejang-dong allegations by saying, "Isn't this something that must be revealed anyway?" and added, "It is a matter that must be promptly clarified according to law and principles."

He further stated, "This issue came up during the election season of the presidential election, and I understand that the parties involved have expressed their willingness to actively cooperate with the investigation and want the truth to be revealed," adding, "If so, that part should also be promptly clarified according to law and principles."

Regarding the opposition party's call for the introduction of a special prosecutor, Minister Park avoided a direct answer by saying, "The police are also investigating the flow of funds, and according to reports, a complaint regarding election law violations has been filed with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, so I believe they will investigate."

When asked whether the Criminal Case Disclosure Review Committee would be involved in deciding whether to disclose information related to this case, he replied, "I hope that any investigation will be conducted with regulations applied justly and properly, and we will continue to monitor this," adding, "Since the system is still in its early stages, it is difficult to conclude how it will function in relation to specific current cases."

The prosecution is expected to assign and begin investigating the case today, in which Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office against People Power Party Floor Leader Kim Ki-hyun, Representative Yoon Chang-hyun, and candidate Jang Ki-pyo for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act, related to the Daejang-dong development project preferential treatment allegations.

Floor Leader Kim has announced his intention to file a complaint accusing Governor Lee of breach of trust under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.

Meanwhile, when asked about the Ministry of Justice's inspection plan regarding the 'report solicitation' allegations, Minister Park said, "The issue of whether to maintain or abolish the Investigation Information Policy Office is being raised," and added, "An investigation is underway from the perspective of institutional improvement."

When asked if the possibility of abolishing the (Investigation Information Policy Office) is being considered, he replied, "Yes," and added, "I think a conclusion can be reached around the time of the National Assembly audit."

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