The Democratic Party on Park Jung-hoon's Acquittal: "No Evidence of Investigation Interference... The Opposition Must Apologize for False Agitation"

The People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party of Korea, saying "Do not distort the contents of the verdict," after former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Commander (Colonel) Park Jeong-hoon, who was indicted on charges of insubordination and defamation of a superior in connection with the death of Chae Sang-byeong, was acquitted in the first trial.

On the 9th, Ho Jun-seok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary, "The verdict is completely different from the 'investigation interference theory' that the Democratic Party was inciting."

Colonel Park Jeong-hoon, former head of the Marine Corps Investigation Unit, is speaking about his thoughts after the first trial sentencing hearing held at the Military Court of the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

Spokesperson Ho explained, "The court found it difficult to prove the specific facts that Kim Gye-hwan, then Marine Corps Commander, gave Colonel Park an order to withhold the transfer. Since it is unclear whether the order existed, it cannot be regarded as 'insubordination.' This is different from the claim that 'the order was refused because it was unjust.'"

He continued, "The court ruled that 'according to the amendment of the Military Court Act, the Marine Corps Investigation Unit has an obligation to transfer the case to the police regarding the death of Chae Sang-byeong.' This aligns with the position of then Minister Lee Jong-seop, who stated that since the Marine Corps Investigation Unit has no investigative authority, it should not draw investigative conclusions but transfer the case to the police."

Spokesperson Ho asserted, "The investigation interference theory, which the Democratic Party indiscriminately raised, has been revealed to have no substance as no evidence or testimony has emerged," and added, "The Democratic Party should apologize for the false incitement."

Earlier, the Central Regional Military Court acquitted Colonel Park in the first trial held that day. Colonel Park was indicted by the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team in October of the same year on charges of insubordination for not following the order of Kim Gye-hwan, then Marine Corps Commander, to withhold the transfer of investigation records related to the death of Chae Sang-byeong, which occurred on July 19, 2023.