Park Seongjae, Minister of Justice Nominee, "Law Enforcement Must Also Be Seen as Fairly Handled" (Comprehensive)

Prosecutor's Post-Retirement 'Asset Increase and Gift Tax Nonpayment' Criticism... Opposition's Focused Attack at Hearing
Kim Geon-hee's Luxury Bag Controversy... "Don't Know How It's Proceeding"

Park Sung-jae, the nominee for Minister of Justice, stated, "It is important that law enforcement is perceived as being handled fairly."

Park Sung-jae, nominee for Minister of Justice, is taking an oath at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 15th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

At the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 15th, Park said, "While it is important that law enforcement is carried out fairly according to 'law and principles,' I also believe that it is equally important that it appears to be handled fairly. I will strive to meet the expectations of the public."

He added, "Since the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act and others following the so-called adjustment of investigative authority, the biggest problem in the investigation and trial fields is the delay in all criminal justice procedures. Above all, I will carefully analyze the causes of delays in investigations and trials of civil cases that directly cause inconvenience to many citizens and prepare countermeasures."

Park also declared that he would respond strongly to violent acts related to politics ahead of the general election in April. He said, "The 22nd National Assembly election is coming soon, and to ensure that elections, which are the foundation of liberal democracy, are conducted fairly and cleanly, I will strictly respond to fraud and unfair practices. The recent consecutive violent acts against politicians are a serious threat to liberal democracy, so I will deal with them with a zero-tolerance policy," he emphasized.

Park also stated that he would strictly respond to unfair practices and economic crimes such as financial and securities crimes. He said he would cooperate with related agencies to respond to drug crimes, voice phishing crimes, and violent crimes with unusual motives.

During the hearing, Park faced criticism for earning 4.6 billion won over five years as a lawyer after retiring from the prosecution in 2017 as the head of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, and for not paying gift tax when registering an apartment in joint ownership with his wife, who had no income at the time, in 2018.

Kim Young-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Your assets were 600 million won while serving as a prosecutor, but you earned 2.8 billion won in two years as a lawyer. Anyone would say this is a case of preferential treatment for former prosecutors," sharply criticizing him.

In response, Park said, "Preferential treatment for former prosecutors means unfairly taking cases and handling them improperly by using the status of a former prosecutor. I have never unfairly taken or handled cases," drawing a clear line.

He continued, "I never thought registering the property under my wife's name was tax evasion, but it was my fault for not examining it thoroughly, and I will take measures to avoid any controversy."

Furthermore, during the hearing, a dispute arose as Park did not submit the stock holdings and case details he handled as a lawyer, which the hearing committee requested. Park stated, "I have no stocks to show," and "I cannot disclose case details due to client privacy and other issues."

Regarding the recent wave of current prosecutors running for the general election, he said, "Honestly, it is disappointing," and added, "There are insufficient legal measures to prevent this currently, which is frustrating from an observer's perspective, and clear legislative action is necessary."

Addressing concerns that Park might violate political neutrality and influence prosecution investigations, he said, "I'm sorry, but I have not lived that way. The Prosecutor General performs his duties according to law and principles as the head, and I, as the minister, will perform my duties accordingly. By doing so, each of us maintains our best position."

Regarding the controversy over Kim Geon-hee's luxury handbag receipt, Park said, "I understand that the matter is pending at several government agencies," and avoided a direct answer by saying, "I do not know how it is progressing."

On the criticism that the prosecution should investigate Mrs. Kim in connection with the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, he replied, "The investigation has been ongoing for a long time since the previous administration, but no indictment has been made. Some account holders deemed clear were indicted, but I understand that none have been convicted."