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Photo = Coupang |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, South Korea – October 23, 2025 – South Korean media outlet JTBC has revealed new allegations that former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae exerted undue influence over a prosecution investigation involving Hong Cheol-ho, former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office.
The claims surfaced in a recorded conversation between Prosecutor Moon Ji-seok, who previously exposed alleged leniency in the “Coupang investigation,” and Eom Hee-joon, then head of the Bucheon District Prosecutors’ Office (now at the Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office). The recording, obtained by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min, suggests that Park expressed anger over the investigation and pressured senior prosecutors to curb the probe.
According to the transcript, Eom reportedly said:
“Minister Park Sung-jae cursed out the head of the Prosecution Bureau, saying he shouldn’t have sent that kind of person to Bucheon,”
indicating that both the Justice Ministry and Supreme Prosecutors’ Office were attempting to influence the election law investigation involving Hong.
Eom also reflected on his own position, stating that he sacrificed potential promotion within the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to protect the independence of his team:
“I knew I wouldn’t be promoted to chief prosecutor in this government… but I stood by the investigation team and trusted Moon Ji-seok, even though that meant giving up personal gain.”
The conversation, recorded on May 29 in Eom’s office, refers to a 2023 investigation ahead of the 22nd general election. Prosecutors were probing allegations that a close associate of Hong Cheol-ho, identified as Mr. Kang, donated ₩1 million (approx. $720) worth of Goobne Chicken gift certificates to a local organization — an act potentially in violation of election law.
Hong, founder of the Goobne Chicken franchise and a People Power Party candidate for Gimpo-eul, was suspected of links to the donation, as many recipients were Gimpo residents.
The Bucheon District Prosecutors’ Office raided the chicken franchise’s offices in August 2023, but ultimately only Kang was indicted and fined ₩5 million, with the case concluded without charges against Hong.
The revelations come amid escalating controversy over political interference in prosecutorial affairs, reviving scrutiny of the Justice Ministry’s role under the Yoon administration.
Alphabiz 김영택 기자(sitory0103@alphabiz.co.kr)
