Park Sam-gu's Detention Hearing Begins... Dispute Over Allegations of Unfair Support to Affiliates

Apologizing While Attending Court
Conclusion Expected Late Afternoon or Early Dawn

AsianaKeo Detention Request

Former Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-gu, who is suspected of unfair support to affiliates, is attending the warrant hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The warrant hearing to decide whether to detain former Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-gu began on the morning of the 12th at the Seoul Central District Court. This is the court's initial judgment on allegations that he unfairly supported Kumho Express, where the controlling family's shareholding is high, by mobilizing affiliates such as Asiana Airlines.

Judge Lee Se-chang, head of the warrant division at the Seoul Central District Court, is conducting the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant hearing) for former Chairman Park in courtroom 321 from 10:30 a.m. Prosecutors first explain the key points of the arrest warrant and the reasons why detention is necessary, followed by the defense team’s rebuttal. Former Chairman Park sits in the defendant’s seat in the center of the courtroom to receive questioning from Judge Lee or to state his opinions. At this hearing, Park will be referred to as the "suspect."

During the warrant hearing, a fierce exchange of arguments is expected between the prosecution and former Chairman Park. Park has consistently denied the charges. After being investigated by prosecutors, he even requested the convening of the Prosecutors' Investigation Deliberation Committee to assess the appropriateness of the investigation. However, the committee rejected the request, and the convening was canceled. When Park appeared at the court on this day, he did not respond to reporters' questions about whether he admitted the charges. As he hurried into the courtroom, he only said, "I'm sorry."

After the questioning, Judge Lee will review the opinions of both sides and the case records in Judge’s chamber 803 to decide whether to issue the warrant. Former Chairman Park is expected to wait at a designated detention facility until Judge Lee reaches a "conclusion." The Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, is the likely location. If the warrant is issued, Park will immediately undergo the detention process there. The result is expected to be announced late in the afternoon or around dawn on the 13th.

On the 12th, ahead of the warrant hearing for Park Sam-gu, former chairman of Kumho Asiana Group, who is suspected of unfair support to affiliates, an Asiana KO official on a hunger strike at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, is struggling with court officials and collapses to the floor. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Earlier, on the 10th, the Fair Trade Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Min-hyung) requested an arrest warrant for former Chairman Park on charges including violations of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act. According to the prosecution, Park is suspected of supporting nine affiliates, including Asiana Airlines, to lend funds to Kumho Express at low interest rates in 2016. The prosecution suspects that such unfair transactions among affiliates were conducted to strengthen the Park family's control. The Park family controls more than 70% of Kumho Express's shares. After the Fair Trade Commission's accusation last year, the prosecution launched an investigation and summoned Park for questioning on the 15th of last month. Considering the seriousness of the case and concerns about evidence destruction, they requested the arrest warrant.

Meanwhile, five members of the Countermeasures Committee for the Reinstatement of Asiana KEO Dismissed Workers called for Park's detention in front of the Seoul Central District Court where the warrant hearing was held. During this, a physical clash occurred with police officers trying to stop the protest, resulting in one committee member collapsing. The individual was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.