It was reported that the police officer in charge of investigating comedian Park Na-rae was rehired by a large law firm representing Park Na-rae as a legal agent after his retirement. According to the Chosun Ilbo on the 19th, Mr. A, who served as the head of the Criminal Division at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul since December last year, retired last month and joined the law firm handling Park Na-rae's defense earlier this month.

Mr. A was investigating the case related to Park Na-rae's manager assault and violation of medical law at the Gangnam Police Station's Criminal Division. He was the person responsible in the investigation reporting line for the case. Mr. A explained to the Chosun Ilbo, "I did not give specific investigative instructions regarding the Park Na-rae case while serving as the head of the Criminal Division, and I have not been involved in the case since joining the law firm." The law firm also stated, "Mr. A had already been interviewed and his employment was decided nine days before the Park case was filed at the Gangnam Police Station."

However, in the legal community, concerns have been raised that the fact that the person responsible who knew the direction of the investigation joined the side of the suspect itself poses a conflict of interest. According to the current Public Officials Ethics Act, retired public officials must undergo prior employment review if they take a job at an institution closely related to the department where they worked. However, public officials with lawyer licenses may be exempt from this review when employed as lawyers.

Park Na-rae's former managers filed a complaint accusing her of special injury, defamation by false facts, and violations of the Information and Communications Network Act, claiming they were harassed by Park Na-rae. Park Na-rae's side strongly opposed this by filing a counter-complaint with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, accusing the former managers of attempted extortion and embezzlement related to their duties. The police have completed complainant investigations for both sides.

The police are focusing their investigative efforts particularly on the controversy over "illegal medical practices" among the various allegations made by the former managers. It is known that they are verifying specific facts regarding suspicions that Mr. B, known as the "injection aunt," performed illegal procedures at Park Na-rae's residence and other locations.

The Park Na-rae case began its investigation in December last year, including allegations of manager assault and violation of medical law. The case was triggered by complaints filed by Park Na-rae's former managers, and disputes between both sides continue. Park Na-rae has announced a suspension of activities due to this case.

In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of retired police officers joining law firms. Since the 2021 investigative authority adjustment, which granted the police primary authority to conclude investigations, this phenomenon has become more pronounced. According to government employment review data, the number of retired police officers applying for law firm employment increased more than threefold from 10 in 2020 to 36 last year.

This situation has further highlighted controversies regarding the relationship between the legal community and the police. As the police's investigative authority expands, cases where retired police officers join law firms related to investigations they were involved in are becoming frequent. This raises concerns about the fairness of legal services.

The investigation related to the Park Na-rae case is currently ongoing, and the police are thoroughly examining all facts. As claims and counterclaims between both sides continue, there is growing anticipation for the truth of the case to be revealed.