Park Sang-yong, deputy chief prosecutor at the Incheon District Prosecutor's Office [Yonhap News file photo]Park Sang-yong, a deputy chief prosecutor at the Incheon District Prosecutor's Office, has demanded the withdrawal of the Ministry of Justice's decision to indefinitely extend his suspension from duty, claiming it is unfair.

According to legal circles on the 31st, Prosecutor Park filed a petition through the National Civil Petition Service on the 29th, the same day he received the official document from the Ministry of Justice regarding the extension of his suspension, stating that the disposition was unfair.

In a phone call with Yonhap News, Prosecutor Park argued, "Extending the suspension indefinitely while a 2-month disciplinary suspension has already been requested is an illegal abuse of power by the Minister of Justice."

Previously, the Ministry of Justice suspended Prosecutor Park from his duties on the 6th of last month due to alleged violations, including breaches of official duty during the investigation of the North Korea-bound remittance case and conduct that raised doubts about the fairness of the investigation.

This action was taken after Koo Ja-hyun, acting Prosecutor General (Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office), requested the Minister of Justice, Chung Sung-ho, to suspend Prosecutor Park's duties in accordance with Article 8 of the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Act.

Article 8 of the Prosecutors' Disciplinary Act stipulates that the Prosecutor General may request the Minister of Justice to order the suspension of a prosecutor's duties if the prosecutor is under investigation for reasons warranting dismissal, resignation, or suspension, if disciplinary action is expected, and if it is deemed significantly inappropriate for the prosecutor to continue performing their duties.

If the Minister of Justice deems the request to be reasonable, they must order the suspension of duties for a period not exceeding two months.

Subsequently, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office requested a 2-month disciplinary suspension for Prosecutor Park from the Ministry of Justice on the 12th of this month, citing allegations that he demanded a confession through his legal representative and provided outside food.

The Ministry of Justice has reportedly not yet formed a disciplinary committee. Instead, it is considering conducting its own internal investigation based on the disciplinary request from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

The Incheon District Prosecutor's Office, where Prosecutor Park is affiliated, is also conducting a separate investigation into him. This is in relation to allegations that Prosecutor Park violated his duty of political neutrality by refusing to take an oath as a witness before a special committee of the National Assembly in April and by attending a debate hosted by the People Power Party.

Amidst these circumstances, attention is focused on the background of the Ministry of Justice notifying Prosecutor Park that the suspension, which was set to expire on the 6th of next month with a maximum duration of two months, would be extended until a separate order is issued.

Given that this is effectively an indefinite suspension, some within and outside the prosecution predict that the Ministry of Justice is likely to impose a disciplinary measure more severe than a 2-month suspension on Prosecutor Park. (Yonhap News)