Key Witnesses Implicated in Unprecedented Trial
A pivotal 10-day public trial concerning allegations of a ‘salmon and sake bribe’ is currently underway at the Suwon District Court. The proceedings on June 16th saw the appearance of crucial witnesses, including prosecutor Park Sang-yong, former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae, and lawyer Seol Ju-wan, who testified as key figures.
Allegations of Prosecutorial Misconduct Emerge
Previously, Lee Hwa-young, former Gyeonggi Province Peace Governor, testified before a parliamentary impeachment committee in 2024, claiming that the prosecution had manipulated facts by offering salmon and alcohol. This testimony led to accusations of violating the Assembly Act on False Testimony (Perjury), resulting in its dismissal.
The allegations prompted the formation of a special committee for state investigation into the alleged prosecutorial fabrication. However, the court has declared it will base its judgment solely on evidence presented within legal proceedings, disregarding the parliamentary investigation report. Consequently, the testimonies presented in the current public trial are expected to form the sole basis for the court’s decision.
Potential Repercussions for Past Verdicts
This case carries significant weight, with potential implications for the revocation of the ‘Daebuk remittance’ verdict, which led to the disqualification of Governor Lee Jae-myung. If Lee’s testimony—that prosecutors engaged in bribery with alcohol—is proven true, it could bolster arguments for fabricated evidence, a stance previously advocated by the ruling party.
Conversely, should Lee be found guilty, the ‘salmon and sake party’ allegations would be legally recognized as false. The direction of the trial will be closely observed through the testimonies of these key witnesses.
Prosecutor Park Sang-yong Under Scrutiny
During the trial, Prosecutor Park Sang-yong definitively denied the accusations of a ‘salmon and sake party’ during his interrogation. When questioned about the presence of alcohol in the prosecutor’s office at the time, he stated, “That is impossible.” He also firmly rejected any suggestion that he was aware of alcohol being provided and failed to report it, asserting, “There was absolutely no such incident. Why would I do such a thing?”
The Seoul High Court had previously identified May 17, 2023, as the date of the alleged alcohol-related gathering during Prosecutor Park’s investigation. The trial posed the question: “Wasn’t this a celebratory party?” This query stems from the testimony on May 19th stating that Lee Hwa-young reported the Daebuk remittance to Governor Lee Jae-myung. The defense suggests the gathering was likely a celebration prior to this report.
Prosecutor Park responded to these claims by stating that Lee Hwa-young’s testimony had been inconsistent and changed depending on the circumstances.
Discrepancies in Testimony Highlighted
Evidence indicates that on May 17th, Park Sang-woong purchased four bottles of soju from a convenience store near the Suwon District Prosecutor’s Office. This information supports the prosecution’s timeline, suggesting Lee Hwa-young initiated a drinking party on the 17th, followed by a confession on the 19th. However, Prosecutor Park contends that even this timeline lacks consistency.
Park Sang-woong purchased the soju at 6:43 PM on May 17, 2023. Lawyer Seol Ju-wan reportedly rejoined the investigation around 7 PM. Prosecutor Park argued that due to Seol’s brief presence, a ‘manipulated alcohol party’ lasting only about ten minutes was physically impossible.
Lee Hwa-young’s Cross-Examination
A notable moment in the trial involved Lee Hwa-young directly cross-examining Prosecutor Park, presenting documents from the Ministry of Justice dated September of the previous year. These documents detailed the Ministry’s investigation into the alleged ‘salmon and sake party’ initiated by Lee.
During that Ministry of Justice investigation, Lee claimed that Kim Seong-tae, former Ssangbangwool Chairman, received deliveries of external meals and food multiple times while under detention. Lee also asserted that Kim and other detainees gathered at the Suwon District Prosecutor’s Office on multiple occasions for conversations.
Ministry of Justice Investigation and Disciplinary Actions
Based on the Ministry of Justice’s findings, Seoul High Court conducted a nine-month investigation into Prosecutor Park, leading to a disciplinary recommendation. In May, former Prosecutor General Gu Ja-hyun requested a two-month suspension for Prosecutor Park, citing “unjustified demands for confessions from the accused and the provision of external food without proper reason.” However, the specific allegations of an ‘alcohol party,’ ‘manipulated testimony,’ and ‘collusion among detainees’ were omitted from the disciplinary request.
Lee Hwa-young questioned the disciplinary actions that were pursued.
Lee reiterated the Ministry of Justice’s findings during the cross-examination, stating that external meals and food were provided to Kim Seong-tae as requested, and that Kim, Lee Hwa-young, and other detainees had gathered for discussions in a video recording room.
Prosecutor Park explained that the disciplinary action against him was based on a nine-month investigation by the Seoul High Court, stemming from the Ministry of Justice’s findings. He maintained that the Ministry’s investigation was largely based on Lee’s testimony, which he claims was factually inaccurate, and therefore, these elements were not included in the disciplinary request.
Lee Hwa-young’s Defense Strategy
Lee Hwa-young appeared to be leveraging the September Ministry of Justice report, which he perceived as favorable, to challenge Prosecutor Park. This cross-examination session lasted approximately 25 minutes.
While defendants can directly question witnesses during a trial, such instances are typically brief, focusing on clarifying factual discrepancies after the prosecutor and defense counsel have concluded their questioning. Direct involvement by the parties can lead to emotional exchanges and potential secondary harm, prompting the court to often intervene if the questioning becomes prolonged.
In this particular case, the unusual situation of the defendant directly interrogating the prosecutor who previously investigated him unfolded for an extended period. The court did not intervene.
Kim Seong-tae’s Testimony
Former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae also appeared in court and denied the allegations of a ‘salmon and sake party,’ stating, “Even if one feeds a dog, they don’t do it like this…”
During the trial, Kim Seong-tae presented his testimony based on intercepted recordings, shifting responsibility to Lee Hwa-young’s side. The proceedings witnessed Kim Seong-tae vehemently criticizing Lee, even shouting at times, leading to intervention from court security.
Kim Seong-tae’s Allegations and Legal Troubles
Kim Seong-tae’s outburst can be understood in the context of his own legal entanglements. Lee Hwa-young is currently facing a seven-year and six-month prison sentence for alleged bribery, embezzlement related to corporate cards and vehicles from Ssangbangwool, and violations of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act for an unauthorized $8 million remittance. Kim Seong-tae fled to Thailand to evade investigation for alleged legal fees and was extradited in January 2023 after eight months.
Lawyer Seol Ju-wan’s Statement
Lawyer Seol Ju-wan, also a witness in the case, testified that he had never witnessed any ‘salmon and sake party,’ stating, “If the ‘salmon and sake party’ allegations were true, it would have to be fabricated from beginning to end.” He added, “I have never seen such a thing.”
Regarding his decision to cease representing Lee Hwa-young, Seol explained, “I lost trust when Kim Hyun-ji, the first secretary of the Presidential Secretariat, stated that ‘Lee Hwa-young said he followed Lawyer Seol’s instructions for his testimony.'”
Park Sang-woong’s Corroborating Testimony
Park Sang-woong, who allegedly purchased soju, cigarettes, and water using Ssangbangwool’s corporate card on May 17th, also testified that no soju was brought into the prosecutor’s office. Responding to the defense counsel’s question about whether he exchanged three bottles of water for three bottles of soju, Park stated, “I never even considered such an exchange. I did not bring them in.”
Previously, during the National Assembly investigation, Park stated he purchased the items “out of personal preference.” He emphasized in court that the system does not allow for such items to be brought in.
Trial Nears Conclusion
The public trial, which began on June 8th and runs for ten days excluding weekends, is nearing its conclusion. The trial will determine the verdict on allegations including the ‘salmon and sake party,’ financial support for Daebuk, and potential abuse of prosecutorial authority. The nine judges will then deliberate to reach a verdict.
The central issue remains the existence of the alleged ‘salmon party.’ The legal ramifications of this scandal, which has captivated the nation through disciplinary actions, investigations, and parliamentary inquiries, are yet to be fully determined.
