Park Beom-gye "Please ensure the work report is completed... I am now the person to leave"

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, expressed regret over the cancellation of the Presidential Transition Committee's briefing, saying, "It is unfortunate to reject the other 99 briefing contents because of one issue," and requested, "Please allow the briefing to take place next week."

On the morning of the 25th, while heading to the Government Complex Gwacheon, Minister Park told reporters, "The transition committee's briefing materials run into dozens of pages," and added, "The Ministry of Justice does not only have the Prosecutor's Office, and even within the Prosecutor's Office, it is not only about investigation command or adjustment of investigative authority."

He further said, "There are also many good contents that well reflect the president-elect's pledges."

When asked about the president-elect Yoon's pledge to abolish the 'investigation command authority,' which he had opposed, Minister Park avoided a direct answer, saying, "I am someone who is about to leave now."

However, he did not mention any intention to revise the briefing contents in response to the transition committee's criticisms. Regarding the future briefing schedule, he only said, "Nothing has been coordinated yet."

Minister Park also commented on the inclusion of amendments to the Ministry of Justice's directive on the 'Regulations on Prohibition of Disclosure of Criminal Cases' in the previous day's Supreme Prosecutors' Office briefing, saying, "It seems there are inconveniences at the frontline," and added, "If the main framework is maintained, I think it is possible to make adjustments to fit reality."

The transition committee abruptly canceled the Ministry of Justice briefing on political, judicial, and administrative affairs, which was scheduled for the morning of the previous day. The committee also criticized Minister Park for publicly expressing opposition to President-elect Yoon Seok-youl's pledges.