Former People Power Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-do condemns the dismissal of a public interest lawsuit involving a 5 billion won bribery allegation tied to the Daejang-dong development scandal. The court rejected the prosecution’s case against him for allegedly concealing bribes from developer Kim Man-bae, sparking vows of legal retaliation.
Kwak Sang-do’s Strong Condemnation
Kwak Sang-do criticizes the prosecution’s handling of the case, announcing plans to seek damages. In a statement released on the 7th, he declares that the authority will pursue compensation from the prosecutors due to their mishandling and demand an audit of those responsible.
“The prosecution’s failure stems from relying solely on company ledgers, which they should not have done,” Kwak states. “Even if victims file another public interest lawsuit, no institutional remedy exists for those suffering unfairly due to public interest concerns.”
He adds that legal professionals share concerns over inadequate investigations. “Without proper scrutiny from the prosecution—even in urgent cases like this—the foundation of legal order weakens through this incident,” Kwak asserts.
Kwak emphasizes that the probe must highlight failure risks through individual cases, contribute to national public interest, and focus on amplifying victims’ plights amid prosecutorial shortcomings.
Prosecutors’ Position on Dismissal
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office 23rd Branch (Public Interest Fraud Division) dismissed the indictment citing the statute of limitations. Despite victim complaints prompting a re-investigation, officials twice declined to proceed, deeming it improper.
“We thoroughly reviewed victims’ circumstances and case details, evaluating public interest twice before concluding the lawsuit lacks merit,” the branch explains. “We resolved the matter accordingly.”
