Arrest Warrant for Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae Denied Again, Casting Doubt on Special Counsel Investigation

An arrest warrant for former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, who is facing allegations of being an accomplice in an insurrection case, has been rejected again, raising concerns about the impact on the investigation led by Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok’s team.

On October 15, Judge Park Jeong-ho, who oversees warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, denied the detention request, stating, “There is insufficient evidence supporting the necessity of detention, as well as the risk of flight or destruction of evidence.”

The special counsel had asserted that Park Sung-jae was substantively involved in the operational stages of the purported insurrection following the December 3 emergency martial law declaration—citing his supervision over the dispatch of prosecutors and instructions for an exit ban team to remain on standby. This charge was based on the same legal foundation as that used for the arrest of former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min on August 1.

Initially, prosecutors were optimistic about securing the warrant, but the court concluded that Park’s conduct fell within routine administrative duties and noted his cooperative stance during the investigation—thus finding insufficient justification for pre-trial detention.

With this ruling, the special counsel team has now failed, in succession, to detain both former Prime Minister Han Deok-su and Park Sung-jae—leaving only Lee Sang-min in custody. There are growing concerns that today’s court decision could influence other cases, such as the ongoing investigation into People Power Party lawmaker Chu Kyung-ho, who faces similar allegations. This is expected to intensify opposition backlash in the National Assembly.

The special investigation team had planned to summon former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong on the 15th and 17th to conclude its probe. However, scheduling is now expected to be delayed. Further discussion is underway regarding additional measures against Park Sung-jae, including the possibility of reapplying for another arrest warrant and supplemental investigation.

Currently, the special counsel team’s mandate is set to expire on November 15, although legislative amendments could allow a single extension through mid-December.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News Agency