Auditor Park Sang-young sharply counters accusations from Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Min-seok regarding the investigation into former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young’s massive embezzlement scandal involving North Korea remittances.
Background of the Embezzlement Probe
Lee Hwa-young faces charges in a high-profile case tied to illicit funds sent to North Korea. Lawmaker Seo Min-seok recently declared Lee the central figure in the crime, stating on March 29, “This individual must be identified as the head of the offense for full resolution.” Seo urged Park to take responsibility for alleged leaks during a National Assembly session.
In response, Park posted a detailed six-point rebuttal on Facebook on March 30, avoiding a full disclosure of communications. He accuses Seo of distorting facts and misrepresenting the probe.
Park’s Key Refutations
Park first addresses the judge involved, Kim Seong-tae, noting his role in impartial hearings across party lines. “This was an objective measure to block escape routes in the massive embezzlement, not a subjective pursuit,” Park explains. “It serves victims and remains essential, not optional.”
On a 2023 June investigation note where Seo claimed Lee proposed his own ‘head of crime’ status, Park calls it a misrepresentation. He argues Lee responded defensively to queries about presidential cadre involvement, with many details unrelated to the core graft. “Such groundless suspicions never reached prosecutors,” Park states.
Park further contends the probe’s core focused on verifying Seo’s initial ‘Lee as head’ assertion, which lacked substance. “No evidence supports a ‘water flow case’ narrative; Seo’s claims faded without prosecution,” he adds.
In the verdict, Lee’s input on cadre reports was noted but not central, leading to a 7-year-8-month sentence reduction in June last year. Park emphasizes non-reflection of statements as re-examination cores.
Accusations of Shifting Stances
Park accuses Seo of altering positions on party-wide changes and downplaying joint disclosures. “Even a single party’s full account can’t be aired publicly; responses prioritize victims,” he says. Seo allegedly twisted verdict facts on Lee’s responsibility into claims of pardon influences without basis.
Seo denied recent YouTube claims of meetings with Park, with associate Kim confirming disclosures on March 31. Seo maintains, “I never first raised the ‘head’ issue myself, but even if I did, auditors induce statements from victims and changes.”
The exchange highlights tensions in the ongoing graft investigation, with both sides trading claims of fabrication amid demands for transparency.
