On March 29, Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate for Gyeonggi Province, Rep. Han Jun-ho, vowed to hold them accountable following the release of a phone recording. In this recording, Prosecutor Park Sang-yong appeared to suggest a plea deal involving Lee Jae-myung’s name in connection with the investigation into North Korean remittances.
Rep. Han shared a KBS News video report on his Facebook page with the provocative title, Was Lee Jae-myung Supposed to be the Mastermind?
In his post, Han wrote about not content with threats to cut open the belly, they even attempted to negotiate using sentences and bail as bait. This is behavior typical of organized crime. What more could they possibly say to justify this? And that he will ensure they face consequences.
Earlier that day, KBS reported obtaining a recording of a phone call in which Prosecutor Park told former Deputy Governor Lee Hwa-young’s camp that a confession implicating Lee Jae Myung as the main culprit is necessary for considerations like bail.
The recording is from a June 2023 conversation between Prosecutor Park and attorney Seo Min-seok, representing former Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor Lee Jae Myung.
During the call, Prosecutor Park said that it needs a confession that clearly identifies Lee Jae Myung as the mastermind and this person as an accomplice for us to proceed. It can then explore options for public whistleblower status, consider bail, or refrain from issuing additional warrants – all of which become possible… This exchange strongly suggests an attempt at a plea bargain.
In response to the report, Prosecutor Park refuted the allegations, claiming that the former deputy governor’s side actually initiated the plea deal discussion. Such an arrangement is legally impossible. There was no attempt at coercion on his part.