Senior Politician Questioned in Witness Interference Probe
Park Dae-joon, former representative of the opposition-affiliated Coufang party, appeared before Seoul police investigators on Wednesday facing allegations of witness tampering during a controversial parliamentary hearing. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency confirmed Park is under formal investigation for potential violations of witness protection laws.
Controversy Stemming From Parliamentary Hearing
The allegations center on Park’s conduct during a December 30 National Assembly hearing regarding Coufang’s logistics center operations and the death of former executive Jang Deok-joon. Multiple witnesses testified that Park and six other sitting and former lawmakers pressured attendees and allegedly manipulated testimony.
The parliamentary Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee subsequently referred Park and the other legislators to prosecutors for potential witness intimidation charges.
Second Investigation Into Political Pressure
This marks Park’s second police summons in eight months. Earlier this year, he faced scrutiny regarding alleged improper influence over witness testimonies in separate cases involving lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi and Coupang executive director Kyung Young-jin.
Investigators are examining whether Park exerted undue pressure during private dinners with Coupang executives and relatives of the deceased executive. Witnesses reportedly described attempts to influence their statements regarding financial documents recovered from the late executive’s residence.
Expanding Political Scandal
The investigation expands upon previous ethics probes into lawmakers’ conduct. Last September, Kim Byeong-gi resigned as National Policy Committee chair following allegations that he coordinated with Park and other Coupang officials to influence witness accounts.
Legal analysts suggest the multiple investigations could lead to broader scrutiny of political interference in parliamentary proceedings. Prosecutors are expected to decide on formal charges within the coming weeks following review of police findings.
