Human Rights Violation TF Re-Summons Prosecutor Park Sangyong Over "Salmon and Alcohol Party" Allegations

Prosecutor Park Questions Why Ssangbangwool Embezzlement Is Raised by Human Rights TF
Did Not Receive Any Questions About the "Salmon and Alcohol Party"... Only Asked, "Did You Serve Alcohol?"

Professor Sangyong Park of the Judicial Research and Training Institute is responding to a lawmaker's question at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on October 23 last year. Photo by Yonhap News

Prosecutor Park Sangyong, who was in charge of the investigation into the Ssangbangwool Group’s remittance to North Korea, has been summoned again by the prosecution in connection with allegations that a "salmon and alcohol party" took place during the investigation.

According to the legal community on January 14, the Human Rights Violation Inspection Task Force (TF) of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office has called in Prosecutor Park as a reference witness for questioning.

Prosecutor Park is suspected of holding a "salmon and alcohol party" to persuade Lee Hwa-young, former Vice Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, and others during the investigation into the Ssangbangwool remittance case.

The Ministry of Justice, following an internal investigation last September, obtained testimony indicating that there were circumstances suggesting a "salmon and alcohol party" on May 17, 2023, and ordered an inspection. The TF in charge of the inspection discovered evidence of criminal activity and escalated the matter to a formal investigation, requesting arrest warrants for An Bu-su, President of the Asia-Pacific Peace Exchange Association, and Ssangbangwool executives on charges such as embezzlement. However, all requests were denied.

The previous day, Prosecutor Park posted on the prosecution’s internal network, Epros, claiming that the TF had requested arrest warrants for those involved without even questioning him.

Prosecutor Park stated, "I do not understand why the investigation team, which is named the Human Rights Violation Inspection TF, is bringing up embezzlement by Ssangbangwool Group," and added, "The Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office reached its conclusion and requested arrest warrants for those involved without even questioning me about the salmon and alcohol party."

He continued, "At the time, the head of the inspection department, as a courtesy, asked me over tea, 'Did you serve alcohol or not?' and I replied, 'The allegations regarding alcohol are completely groundless.'"

He further explained, "Afterwards, I was questioned until 7:30 p.m., but contrary to the summons notice, I was not asked any questions about the 'salmon and alcohol party.' Instead, I was subjected to endless questions, just like an intensive audit of a so-called problematic prosecutor, such as 'Why did you only have an interview and let them go?' and 'Why did you not obtain a confirmation of the right to remain silent?' for every person summoned around May 2023."