[2021 National Audit] Park Beom-gye "Swift Arrest of Yoo Dong-gyu... 'Daejang-dong' and 'Gobal Saju' Should Not Be Simply Compared"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye attended the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Ministry of Justice held on the 5th and responded to lawmakers' questions. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Regarding the Daejang-dong development lobbying and preferential treatment allegations, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye stated, "The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office formed a dedicated team and swiftly arrested Yoo Dong-gyu (former acting president of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation) within four days, conducting a rapid investigation," adding, "I believe the Central District Prosecutors' Office and police investigating the case will reach the truth without any sanctuary."

Minister Park made these remarks on the 5th during the International Legislation and Judiciary Committee's national audit.

Regarding the opposition party's demand for the appointment of a special prosecutor for the Daejang-dong allegations, Minister Park responded, "It is a matter for the National Assembly to decide, but that does not mean the investigation can be halted," and argued that initiating the investigation could actually take considerable time.

On the issue of the '5 billion won retirement payment' received by the son of former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do from Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, the Daejang-dong developer, he said, "I consider it serious and grave," but added, "I cannot provide detailed information on whether there was any damage or on the command of the investigation."

In response to criticism that the investigation into the Daejang-dong allegations is proceeding more leniently compared to the probe into former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's 'accusation instigation' allegations, he remarked, "I do not think it is appropriate to make a simplistic, flat comparison."