Authorities are expected to soon decide on disciplinary action against Park Sang-yong, the deputy chief prosecutor of the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office. Park faces allegations of attempting to influence key individuals to indict President Lee Jae Myung (then leader of the Democratic Party) during the investigation into the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case.
The Ministry of Justice recently suspended Park, anticipating a severe penalty of at least a suspension from duty. Historically, prosecutors accused of violating political neutrality or misconduct have rarely escaped disciplinary actions such as dismissal or suspension.
However, some have challenged these decisions, filing lawsuits to overturn disciplinary measures. Courts have occasionally ruled in their favor. If disciplinary action is taken against Park, he plans to file a lawsuit, drawing attention to the potential outcome.
On April 12, legal sources reported that the Seoul High Prosecutor’s Office’s Human Rights Violation Task Force (TF) has been investigating Park since its establishment last September.
The TF, formed under Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho’s directive, is examining whether Park coerced key figures, including former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young, through a so-called salmon sushi party during the North Korea remittance case investigation.
Park allegedly provided alcohol and salmon rice bowls to obtain a statement from Lee indicating that he had reported to Governor Lee Jae Myung about Ssangbangwool covering North Korea trip costs.
Recently released recordings of a phone conversation with attorney Seo Min-seok, who represents Lee, revealed Park stating that it needs a statement that can hold up in court, and that in reality, it needs a confession that makes Lee Jae Myung the main culprit and this person an accomplice.
Amid the ongoing investigation, the Ministry of Justice suspended Park’s duties on April 6. Minister Jeong explained at a National Assembly committee meeting on April 8 that the suspension was necessary to maintain the investigation’s integrity and public trust, given the expectation of a severe penalty.
He added that the statute of limitations for disciplinary action is likely around May 17, suggesting that an announcement is imminent.
The Ministry considers the salmon sushi party to have occurred on May 17, 2023. With a three-year statute of limitations for prosecutorial discipline, Minister Jeong aims to reach a conclusion before May 17.
Disciplinary actions against prosecutors can include dismissal, demotion, suspension, salary reduction, or reprimand. These require review by the Prosecutorial Disciplinary Committee upon request by the Minister of Justice or the Prosecutor General, with the Minister chairing the committee.
Historically, most prosecutors facing allegations have not escaped severe penalties like dismissal or suspension when brought before the Disciplinary Committee.
In 2017, former Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Young-ryul was dismissed after a money envelope dinner scandal, where he gave an envelope containing 1 million KRW (about 672 USD) to a Ministry of Justice prosecutor.
In 2020, former President Yoon Suk Yeol (then Prosecutor General) received a two-month suspension for allegedly obstructing investigations into illegal judicial surveillance and media collusion.
Former chief prosecutor Kim Hyung-jun, labeled a sponsor prosecutor for accepting gifts from a high school classmate, and former prosecutor Jin Kyung-jun, who received free vehicles from Nexon’s founder, both faced dismissal.
However, some have successfully challenged penalties in court. Former Prosecutor Lee won a lawsuit overturning his dismissal in 2018, with the court ruling that the Ministry of Justice had abused its discretion.
In 2023, former President Yoon initially lost but ultimately won his appeal against disciplinary action, with the court finding the penalty unjust.
Park has expressed intentions to file a lawsuit immediately if disciplinary action is imposed, drawing attention to forthcoming developments.
