Tomorrow, Nominee for Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye's Confirmation Hearing... Likely to Clash Over 'Kim Hak-ui's Exit Ban Investigation'

On the 31st of last month, Park Beom-gye, nominated as the Minister of Justice candidate, is responding to reporters' questions while on his way to the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Seokjin Choi and Daehyun Kim] The parliamentary confirmation hearing for Park Beom-gye, the nominee for Minister of Justice, is just one day away.

Since his nomination, various allegations have been raised against Park, including 'omission of asset declaration' and 'assault on exam candidates,' but no decisive evidence has emerged. Attention is now focused on the recent prosecution investigation into the travel ban on former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui, which is expected to spark fierce debates between ruling and opposition party lawmakers.

The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee will hold the confirmation hearing for Park on the 25th.

Allegations against Park include ▲omission of asset declarations such as land, deposits, and housing ▲spouse's false address registration ▲involvement or tacit approval of an aide's violation of election laws (accepting nomination bribes) ▲assault on exam candidates ▲traffic law violations and unpaid fines ▲rapid growth of the law firm 'Myeonggyeong' in which he has equity investment ▲recommendation of Myeonggyeong's chief attorney as an election commissioner ▲inappropriate sexual remarks during a high school lecture, among others.

Park is also a defendant currently undergoing criminal trial for his indictment related to the National Assembly fast-track clash incident. Additionally, he is expected to face criticism from opposition lawmakers for his remark during the November plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, when he urged Supreme Court Administrative Office Chief Justice Jo Jae-yeon, whose budget was cut, saying, "Please save us once, sir."

However, before these issues related to Park, the recent controversy over the illegality of the travel ban on former Deputy Minister Kim Hak-ui and the prosecution investigation into it are highly likely to trigger intense confrontations between ruling and opposition lawmakers.

In March 2019, regarding the emergency travel ban on former Deputy Minister Kim imposed by Prosecutor Lee Gyu-won, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and the Ministry of Justice stated that "there is no legal problem." However, Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl reassigned the investigation from the Anyang branch of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office, where the branch chief and deputy prosecutor were known to be close to Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon, to the main Suwon District Prosecutors' Office due to lack of progress. Eight days after reassignment, the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office conducted extensive raids on the Ministry of Justice and the Fair Trade Commission, continuing a rigorous investigation.

Notably, this case involves several key pro-government figures within the Ministry of Justice and prosecution, including former Minister of Justice Park Sang-ki, Deputy Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu, Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Seong-yoon, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Lee Jong-geun, and Prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon of the Ministry of Justice, drawing significant attention to how far the prosecution's investigation will go.

At the confirmation hearing on the 25th, opposition lawmakers are expected to point out illegalities such as unauthorized withdrawal record checks and falsification of official documents during the travel ban process, urging strict investigation. In contrast, ruling party lawmakers are likely to criticize the prosecution for initially failing to properly investigate former Deputy Minister Kim.

Particularly, attention will focus on the stance Park, a former judge, will take between ruling party lawmakers emphasizing the necessity of the withdrawal and opposition lawmakers demanding severe punishment for criminal acts.

Additionally, questions are expected regarding Park's position on investigations classified as targeting the current administration, such as the 'Wolseong Unit 1 Nuclear Power Plant' case, investigations into Prosecutor General Yoon's family and aides, and his views on upcoming personnel appointments of prosecution executives after assuming office.

Meanwhile, Park reportedly stated in written responses submitted to the National Assembly the day before that, regarding allegations surrounding Prosecutor General Yoon's family, "If appointed as minister, I will appropriately supervise and direct prompt investigations in accordance with law and principles."

Regarding the 'Wolseong Unit 1 Nuclear Power Plant' case, Park responded, "If there are investigative leads, uncovering the substantive truth is the principle," while also noting, "There are criticisms that the prosecution is conducting excessive investigations for political purposes."

On prosecution personnel matters, Park said, "I will formalize the process of hearing the Prosecutor General's opinions on personnel," and regarding the Minister of Justice's authority to direct investigations, he answered, "It is a normative control mechanism to ensure that prosecutorial power is exercised appropriately from the perspective of the people."