Seoul: Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho on Wednesday denied giving any instructions regarding the prosecution's controversial decision not to appeal a high-profile development corruption case linked to President Lee Jae Myung from his time as mayor of Seongnam. Jung also stated that he had no discussions with the presidential office over the issue, amid mounting controversy over the prosecution's failure to appeal the case by last Friday's deadline, which critics allege was a result of government interference.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Jung emphasized during a plenary session of the National Assembly's special committee on budget and accounts that he did not oppose the appeal. This came as Rep. Bae Joong-young of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) raised suspicions of external pressure over the prosecution's decision. Jung clarified that while he had not issued any directive regarding the appeal, he did convey his opinion to the Supreme Prosecutors Office to "make a careful decision after considering various circumstances."
When questioned by reporters about the possibility of his comments being perceived as external pressure, Jung responded, "How can that be regarded as pressure? It's something we say all the time." The PPP has called for Jung's resignation and demanded that the presidential office clarify suspicions regarding its alleged involvement in the prosecution's decision.
The development corruption case revolves around allegations that a small number of private asset management companies, including Hwacheon Daeyu, reaped significant investment profits from a real estate development project in Seongnam's Daejang-dong district in 2015, during Lee's tenure as the city's mayor. Lee faced trial on charges of inflicting losses on Seongnam Development Corp., which managed the project. However, the court indefinitely postponed his trial following his presidential election victory in June.
In a related trial, a district court sentenced Yoo Dong-gyu, former acting president of Seongnam Development Corp., and Kim Man-bae, a major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu, to eight-year prison terms each on charges, including breach of duty, on October 31. Three other suspects received prison sentences ranging from four to six years.