Prosecutor Park Sang-yong [Photo=Yonhap News]Legal battles are intensifying over the suspension of duties for Prosecutor Park Sang-yong, who was in charge of the investigation into the Ssangbangul North Korea remittance case. 

The civic group Committee for the Countermeasures of the Common People's Livelihoods (Secretary-General Kim Soon-hwan) has characterized this measure as an 'obstruction of investigation by those in power' and announced on the 8th that it has filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho and Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun (Deputy Prosecutor General) for abuse of authority and defamation. 

"Judicial Order Damaged by Abnormal Measure"

In its complaint, the Committee for the Countermeasures of the Common People's Livelihoods strongly criticized the suspension of duties as an act that disregards the constitution, laws, common sense, and principles. 

According to a statement, it stated, "Considering the verdict against former Gyeonggi Province Peace Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young and the circumstances surrounding President Lee Jae-myung, there is a rational suspicion that the government and the ruling party have colluded to conceal President Lee's alleged criminal facts."

It particularly emphasized that this measure is a serious issue that has led to a waste of administrative power and taxpayer money by degrading the functions of the prosecution service and weakening public trust in the entire investigative bodies. 

'Allegations of Coercion for 'Drinking Party' Testimony' as the Trigger

Prosecutor Park Sang-yong, at the center of the controversy, is undergoing an investigation for the alleged 'coercion of testimony for salmon and drinking parties' raised by former Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young's side. On the 6th, the Ministry of Justice, at the request of Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun, ordered the suspension of Prosecutor Park's duties based on Article 8 of the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Act. 

At the time, the Ministry of Justice stated, "An investigation is underway for alleged misconduct that could raise doubts about violations of official duties and the fairness of the investigation, and it was determined that performing his duties would be inappropriate."

Conversely, the Committee for the Countermeasures of the Common People's Livelihoods directly refuted the disciplinary grounds presented by the Ministry of Justice. The committee pointed out, "Under the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Act, suspension of duties should only be implemented when disciplinary grounds are acknowledged and performing duties is clearly inappropriate. This measure is an abnormal action influenced by power."

It also stated that such actions have severely damaged the reputations of the judges who ruled on the criminal facts and the prosecutors in charge of the investigation, urging a strict investigation by the police. 

With Prosecutor Park Sang-yong's suspension of duties being perceived as an attempt to halt the investigation, leading to a complaint from the civic group, the repercussions of the upcoming police investigation results are expected to be significant for the political sphere and the prosecution service. 

Account for donations to the Committee for the Countermeasures of the Common People's Livelihoods: Post Office 010108-01-014472 

Account Holder: Committee for the Countermeasures of the Common People's Livelihoods 

Reporter Lim Yo-hee