Reports have emerged that the police official who previously oversaw the investigation into comedian Park Na Rae has joined the law firm representing her after retiring.
According to a report on February 19th KST, Mr. A, who served as head of the Criminal Division at Gangnam Police Station, retired last month and was re employed earlier this month at a major law firm that is currently representing Park Na Rae.
The Criminal Division at Gangnam Police Station had been investigating Park Na Rae since December of last year following complaints filed against her on charges including special assault. The official who had been receiving investigation reports is now affiliated with the law firm acting as counsel for the suspect.
In response to the controversy, Mr. A told, “I did not provide specific investigative direction regarding the Park Na Rae case during my time as Criminal Division chief, and I have not been involved in the case since joining the law firm.” A representative from the firm also stated, “Mr. A had already interviewed and secured the position nine days before the Park Na Rae case was filed with the Gangnam Police Station.”
However, within legal circles, concerns have been raised over a potential conflict of interest, noting that as the official in charge, he would have been aware of the investigation’s details and direction.
Under the current Public Service Ethics Act, former public officials are required to undergo a prior employment review if they seek to join institutions closely related to the department in which they previously worked. However, public officials who hold a law license and are employed as attorneys may be exempt from such review.
The movement of former police officers into law firms has been increasing since the 2021 adjustment of investigative authority between prosecutors and police, which granted police primary authority to close investigations. According to government employment review data, the number of retired police officers applying to join law firms rose from 10 in 2020 to 36 last year, more than tripling.
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