Supreme Court justice nominee denies alleged involvement in cover-up of torture death

By Lee Kyung-min

Park Sang-ok

Supreme Court justice nominee Park Sang-ok denied allegations of involvement in covering up the torture death of a student activist in 1987 that ignited a nationwide pro-democracy movement.

As a junior prosecutor, Park was a part of a team that investigated police officers who tortured Seoul National University (SNU) student Park Jong-chul to death. Since he was nominated to the Supreme Court justice in January, Park has been dogged by allegations that he helped cover up the death.

“At the time, it was impossible for any prosecutor to conduct an investigation without senior supervision or command from higher places,” Park said during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. “I feel sorry for his death, but I never attempted to cover it up. I was too low-ranking to be in a position to make decisions on my own. I could not do anything.”

The former prosecutor kept on the defensive saying he then lacked the authority to influence, much less direct, the investigation.

Opposition lawmakers called for his withdrawal.

“He was aware of what really happened, but he never spoke up nor did he demand an investigation afterwards,” Park Wan-ju, a spokesman of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, said.

“He did not bring charges against people who should have been held accountable. His deliberate dereliction of duty as a prosecutor and cowardly action are grounds for disqualification for the Supreme Court justice position.”

Seo Gi-ho of the minor opposition Justice Party said Park lacks the required quality of impartiality or perseverance for a Supreme Court justice.