The Ministry of Justice suspended Park Sang-yong, a deputy chief prosecutor at the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office, on Monday. This action came amid allegations that Park coerced former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young into giving false testimony during the investigation of the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case. Park swiftly reacted, claiming this suspension is a precursor to dismissing charges related to President Lee Jae Myung’s alleged involvement in the remittance scandal. He vowed to take legal action if the suspension leads to disciplinary measures.
Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho issued a statement explaining the suspension. He cited violations of official duties and actions that cast doubt on the investigation’s impartiality as reasons for Park’s suspension. Earlier that day, Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun had requested Minister Jeong suspend Park’s duties under Article 8 of the Prosecutors’ Disciplinary Act, which allows for suspensions lasting up to two months.
Minister Jeong elaborated that, given the nature of the alleged misconduct, he found it highly inappropriate for Park to continue his duties.
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office is currently conducting a separate investigation into Park through a task force focused on human rights violations. This is distinct from the case referred to special prosecutor Kwon Chang-young.
Park contends that the disciplinary actions are part of a broader strategy to dismiss charges in the North Korea remittance case. He indicated his readiness to mount a legal challenge if disciplinary measures are imposed. In an interview with News1 following the announcement of his suspension, Park revealed he had just received verbal notification, suggesting that formal disciplinary action was imminent.
Park alleges that the initiation of disciplinary procedures by the Ministry of Justice marks the beginning of efforts to dismiss charges against President Lee. He has consistently claimed that the Democratic Party of Korea is attempting to frame him as a defendant in a manipulated prosecution related to the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case. According to Park, this is part of a larger plan to launch a special investigation and ultimately dismiss charges against President Lee.
On April 3, Park refused to take an oath as a witness before the National Assembly’s special committee investigating allegations of politically motivated prosecutions by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. He later reiterated his position on social media, arguing that he could not cooperate with what he termed a constitutionally destructive special investigation. Park maintained that he had no choice but to refuse the oath, asserting that the special prosecutor is appointed by the country’s highest authority and would primarily serve to eliminate any wrongdoing by that authority through the dismissal of charges.
While Park indicated that he currently has no plans to file an immediate motion to annul the suspension, he noted that he could pursue legal action after any disciplinary measures are imposed.