[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Park Young-soo, the special prosecutor in the National Agricultural Manipulation Allegation case, who was revealed to have received a Porsche vehicle last year from Kim Mo (43, currently incarcerated), a fisheries businessman who conducted all-out bribery lobbying targeting the prosecution, political circles, and the media, submitted his resignation on the 7th.
Special Prosecutor Park stated in a position paper sent to reporters on the same day, "I, Park Young-soo, have judged that I can no longer perform the duties of the special prosecutor and have submitted my resignation today."
He apologized once again for his inappropriate conduct, saying, "First, I bow my head and sincerely apologize for causing controversy due to behavior that did not meet the public's expectations."
Park said, "I deeply feel moral responsibility for introducing the controversial figure to Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Mo without fully grasping the person's true nature," and added, "I will clarify other inaccurate reports at a later time."
He continued, "However, I have decided to resign because I believe that continuing to serve as a special prosecutor under these circumstances is not right toward the people."
He also said, "Both special prosecutor assistants appointed through my recommendation have also expressed their intention to resign as of today," explaining, "This is a measure considering the need to reorganize the special prosecutor's office and the fact that special prosecutor assistants cannot independently conduct litigation such as trials in the absence of a special prosecutor."
He added, "I will make every effort to ensure a smooth handover so that the successor special prosecutor can properly conclude the remaining National Agricultural Manipulation trials."
Finally, Special Prosecutor Park concluded his resignation statement by saying, "Despite numerous difficulties, our special prosecutor team has devoted ourselves over the past four years and seven months to uncover the truth of the National Agricultural Manipulation allegation case. However, I deeply regret having to resign midway due to such circumstances and would like to end my resignation statement with an apology."
Appointed as a special prosecutor in 2016 under the "Act on the Appointment of Special Prosecutors for the Investigation of the National Agricultural Manipulation Allegation Case by Private Individuals including Choi Soon-sil of the Park Geun-hye Administration," Special Prosecutor Park has maintained prosecution even after bringing former President Park Geun-hye and key suspects such as Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil) to trial.
When the media reported that he had received a Porsche vehicle from Kim, he explained in a statement on the 5th, "About three years ago, I first met Kim Mo through former journalist Song Mo, who introduced him as a young entrepreneur in the fisheries industry in Pohang," and "I met him two or three times for meals and occasionally made formal courtesy calls, but I have never been involved in Kim's business or participated in any events."
In particular, Special Prosecutor Park denied the allegation regarding the vehicle, stating, "It is completely untrue that I received a Porsche vehicle free of charge as reported."
He explained, "I own a car that is over 10 years old, which my wife mainly drives. While reviewing several car models to purchase a car that could be the last in my life for my wife, Kim recommended test-driving a vehicle from his rental car company through lawyer Lee Mo. Since the company is located in a provincial area, I rented the car for a few days," adding, "The vehicle was returned two days later, and the rental fee of 2.5 million won was delivered to Kim through lawyer Lee."
However, he admitted to introducing Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee to Kim and receiving gifts of snow crabs and gwamegi (dried fish) three to four times during holidays.
Nevertheless, contrary to Park's explanation, controversy grew as it was revealed that the rental fee of 2.5 million won was paid not immediately after receiving the vehicle but three months later, after the investigation into Kim had begun.
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