The Seoul High Prosecutors' Office human rights violation review task force (TF), which is investigating alleged attempts to coerce testimony during the probe into the Ssangbangwool Group's North Korea remittance allegations, has concluded that the so-called "salmon drinking party" did in fact take place.
According to legal sources on Thursday, the TF recently reported to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office its internal audit finding that alcohol had been brought into the prosecutors' office while the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office was questioning former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Hwa-young. The report comes eight months after the Ministry of Justice ordered the audit last September.
The TF reportedly based its conclusion on a detention center inmate's statement that he had heard Lee say he "drank alcohol," as well as records showing that a former Ssangbangwool director surnamed Park had purchased soju with a corporate credit card at a convenience store.
Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun is accordingly expected to review the TF's audit findings and soon decide whether to seek disciplinary action against Prosecutor Park Sang-yong, who led the investigation into Lee. The statute of limitations for disciplinary action against Prosecutor Park expires on the 17th. Lee has claimed that Park attempted to coerce his testimony, while Park has denied the allegations.
