[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lawmakers from the United Future Party's Judiciary Committee raised their voices, stating that the investigation into the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon's case should be conducted by the prosecution, not the police, and that Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae should exercise her authority to direct investigations in such situations.
On the 14th, the United Future Party's Judiciary Committee members pointed out at the National Assembly Communication Office, "The authority to direct investigations by the Minister of Justice should be used to uncover the truth behind power-related sexual misconduct cases."
They stated, "The former secretary A, who filed the sexual harassment allegations against the late Mayor Park, raised suspicions at a press conference that 'the fact of the accusation was immediately conveyed to the late Mayor Park,' suggesting that the police directly reported to higher authorities such as the Blue House, and those who received the report likely contacted Mayor Park."
The Judiciary Committee members inferred that since the victim submitted the complaint to the police at 4:30 p.m. on the 8th and completed her statement at 2:30 a.m. on the 9th, and considering that Mayor Park wrote a suicide note and left the official residence at 10:44 a.m. on the 9th, he must have been aware of the fact and details of the accusation.
They added, "The police have already lost their authority as an investigative agency," and "Although the case was closed with 'no prosecution' due to Mayor Park's death, uncovering the substantive truth is entirely separate from the criminal justice procedure."
The Judiciary Committee members emphasized, "Those who immediately conveyed the victim's accusation to the perpetrator and the internal personnel of the Seoul City government who ignored the victim's pleas must be identified," and stressed, "The Minister of Justice's authority to direct investigations exists for such times. Minister Choo should take over the Mayor Park case from the police and order the prosecution to continue the investigation."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
