Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye: "The dedicated investigation team for the Daejang-dong allegations being pro-government? An unfounded claim"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, referred to concerns about bias in the special investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office handling the so-called 'Daejang-dong Development Favoritism' allegations as "an unfounded claim."

On the morning of the 30th, while arriving at the Gwacheon Government Complex, Minister Park retorted, "Then should the case be transferred to the Busan District Prosecutors' Office?" and also stated that he "cannot agree" with the criticism that the investigation was sidelined.

He added, "It took almost 3 to 4 days from the time the complaint was received and assigned to the point of conducting a search and seizure. At least based on the Central District Prosecutors' Office, I cannot agree with the surrounding criticisms."

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office formed a team dedicated to investigating the Daejang-dong allegations the previous day and launched a forced investigation. Approximately 16 prosecutors were deployed. Kim Tae-hoon, the 4th Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, was appointed to lead the investigation. Some have expressed concerns that Kim, who served as the head of the prosecution division at the Ministry of Justice during Minister Choo Mi-ae's tenure and was involved in the disciplinary procedures against former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, has a pro-government stance, making him an inappropriate choice to lead the Daejang-dong investigation.

Meanwhile, regarding political calls to entrust the allegations to a special prosecutor, Minister Park said, "That is an issue to be resolved in Yeouido," adding, "Shouldn't we be conducting the investigation now?"

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