Park Beom-gye "Kim Geon-hee's refusal to appear before prosecution, no exceptions for elections"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is entering the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 24th for a briefing related to the 2022 special pardon, which includes the special pardon of former President Park Geun-hye and the reinstatement of former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, commented on reports that Kim Gun-hee, spouse of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is refusing to comply with the prosecution's summons related to the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation' allegations, stating, "There are no exceptions for elections."

On the morning of the 19th, while heading to the Government Complex Gwacheon, Minister Park told reporters, "Whether it is an investigative agency or a person subject to investigation by the agency, there should be universally valid standards," expressing this view.

Recently, OhmyNews reported that the Anti-Corruption and Strong Investigation Division 2 (Chief Prosecutor Jo Ju-yeon) of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, investigating the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations, notified Kim's side of a non-public summons, but Kim's side, through a lawyer, informed that she would find it difficult to appear before the presidential election and thus declined to attend.

Regarding Kim's case, Minister Park said in an interview with KBS last month, "She (Kim Gun-hee) has participated with a considerable amount as a previous owner (jeonju) in Deutsche Motors stocks," and added, "I think the prosecution should reach a proper conclusion," which drew backlash from the People Power Party, accusing him of "giving investigation guidelines."

In response, Minister Park attempted to quell the controversy over investigation guidelines at a press conference with legal reporters, saying, "Please accept it as it is. I understand the investigation is ongoing, but it seems there is some misunderstanding."

Meanwhile, Minister Park addressed the court's suspension of the Ministry of Justice's measure requiring lawyers to present a quarantine pass (proof of vaccination or negative test) to meet detainees in correctional facilities, stating, "The law must be applied and enforced under national consensus, so we have no choice but to file an immediate appeal," and added, "Many citizens are enduring inconveniences, so I hope this aspect is considered."

The Administrative Division 5 of the Seoul Administrative Court (Chief Judge Jeong Sang-gyu) fully accepted the suspension of enforcement (suspension of effect) application filed by lawyer Ahn against the Minister of Justice regarding the quarantine pass requirement for visits to correctional facilities. In response, the Ministry of Justice filed an immediate appeal with the court.