Park Beom-gye "No Changes in Transition Committee Briefing"... Discord Likely to Continue

Park "Did not write 'oppose' to abolition of investigation command rights... expressed softly"
"Daejang-dong special prosecutor" initiated ex officio... "Continuing to consider fair methods"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is answering reporters' questions as he arrives at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 28th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] With Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye stating on the 29th that there are "no changes" regarding the presidential transition committee's (Transition Committee) scheduled briefing, the discord between the Transition Committee and Minister Park appears likely to continue.

On the 28th, while heading to the Government Complex Gwacheon, Minister Park told reporters, "There are no changes to the (Transition Committee briefing)" and added, "Regarding the abolition of the investigative command authority, the Transition Committee's briefing materials do not state 'opposition,'" further noting, "They have expressed it softly in a way that can be heard."

As Minister Park maintains a stance opposing the campaign promises of President-elect Yoon Seok-youl, including the abolition of the investigative command authority, attention is focused on whether the briefing, which was previously rejected once, will be canceled again.

Earlier, the Transition Committee's Political, Judicial, and Administrative Affairs Subcommittee abruptly postponed the Ministry of Justice briefing on the 24th, just over two hours before it was scheduled. At that time, the Transition Committee stated, "It is rude and incomprehensible for Minister Park, who will retire in about 40 days with the change of administration, to openly oppose the campaign promises of the president-elect elected by the people just one day before the ministry briefing," and notified the postponement of the briefing schedule.

In response, Minister Park lowered his stance, saying, "I am the one who will leave, so I hope the Ministry of Justice briefing can proceed next week." However, as he maintained his original position, the conflict between the Transition Committee and Minister Park is expected to continue.

Additionally, on the same day, regarding whether the Minister of Justice intends to initiate the 'Daejang-dong Special Prosecutor' investigation ex officio under Article 2, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the Standing Special Prosecutor Act ('Act on Appointment of Special Prosecutors, etc.'), Minister Park said, "I have been continuously considering what the fairest method would be."

Regarding the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office's raid on the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 25th as part of the investigation into the 'Ministry of Industry blacklist allegations,' Minister Park responded, "I received the report and said, 'That's really fast,'" adding, "It's difficult to say anything specific."

Concerning the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's report during the Transition Committee briefing that some amendments are needed to the 'Regulations on Prohibition of Disclosure of Criminal Cases,' Minister Park said, "Since frontline officers try to fully comply with the regulations on prohibition of disclosure of criminal cases, there seem to be inconvenient and practically difficult aspects, so within the scope that does not significantly damage the framework, we can seek changes that fit practical realities," and added, "I plan to discuss this with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office after the Transition Committee briefing."

The regulations on prohibition of disclosure of criminal cases drew criticism as a 'self-imposed regulation' when former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk issued an order in October 2019 to prevent the media from disclosing investigation details during the prosecution's investigation into Cho's family.

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