Ko Jung-ae
The author is the editor-in-chief at the JoongAng Sunday.
The inversion of power — moments when those holding the blade suddenly grasp the handle, and vice versa — became clear to me about two decades ago. A colleague, berated by a superior in what would now be considered workplace harassment, spoke after several rounds of drinks.
“People say it’s like throwing an egg against a rock, but even then, the egg can still leave a mark.”
Prosecutor Park Sang-yong asks for an opportunity to explain his position after refusing to take the witness oath at a hearing on alleged fabricated indictments in the case on Ssangbangwool remittances to North Korea, held by the National Assembly’s special committee investigating accusations of politically motivated prosecutions under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, on April 14. [LIM HYUN-DONG]
And with that Korean expression about a hopeless fight, he declared a resolve to confront his boss. Not long after, he was transferred to another department, likely a disappointing outcome for him. Yet his superior was also reassigned, and that move amounted to a demotion. It later became known that the colleague had engaged in a sustained campaign of public opinion before and after the transfer.
At times, a minority can exert influence. Nassim Nicholas Taleb offers such an example in “Skin in the Game” (2018). The French scientist Gilles-Éric Séralini warned of the dangers of genetically modified crops developed by Monsanto. His research methods were flawed. The laboratory rats he used were prone to tumors, and the sample size was too small to be statistically decisive.
Public institutions and academia strongly criticized the study, and Monsanto mounted an organized rebuttal. The controversy grew into a broader dispute over scientific standards and corporate accountability. Ultimately, however, the issue lay not with the genetically modified crops themselves but with the herbicide glyphosate used alongside them. Séralini’s mistake was failing to distinguish between the crops and the chemical. Monsanto’s responsibility, critics argued, was more fundamental.
This reflection arises from the unfolding controversy surrounding the cae on Ssangbangwool remittances to North Korea. The Democratic Party (DP) has mounted a broad campaign, alleging that some prosecutors persuaded accomplices to testify about links to President Lee Jae Myung and pursued fabricated indictments. The focus has centered on one individual: prosecutor Park Sang-yong.
It reflects a familiar political tactic — concentrating pressure on a single target. Even as some within the party downplayed Park as a minor figure, a wide array of measures followed, including inspections, suspension from duty, complaints and a travel ban. According to colleagues, the process created a sense of isolation and fear, with one prosecutor describing it as leaving individuals to endure public humiliation alone.
Park’s response has set him apart. Since early last month, he has actively rebutted the allegations through social media and other platforms. Opportunities to present his position publicly have increased, excluding hearings led by the DP. In an interview with a monthly magazine, he said, “My career as a prosecutor is over. I have no regrets. It is already finished, and I cannot continue the investigations. But I hope this case proceeds according to principle. It is wrong to suppress a matter that should be judged by the judiciary for the sake of political power or a single individual.”
His remarks have resonated in part because the intentions of the ruling bloc have not appeared fully clear. Some observers now question whether the response has been excessive, even if there were shortcomings in the investigation. There is also growing suspicion that a special counsel probe into alleged fabricated indictments could be used to cancel charges against President Lee and others.
These concerns may not be unfounded. In early March, during a state visit to the Philippines, a pro-government online outlet reported a recording suggesting coercion involving a former Ssangbangwool chairman. Within an hour, President Lee posted a message condemning evidence fabrication, calling it worse than crimes such as robbery or kidnapping carried out by ordinary criminals. The following day, after testimony emerged that contradicted the DP's claims, he wrote that past allegations had shaped the outcome of the presidential election.
The path ahead for the ruling bloc is unlikely to be smooth. As long as there are those willing, even at personal cost, to leave a mark — however small — resistance may persist.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
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