Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon Also Requests Investigation Review Committee... "The Essence of This Case Is 'Gongjak'"

"Regrettable Current Situation Makes It Difficult to Expect a Fair Investigation"

Handonghun, Research Fellow at the Judicial Research and Training Institute (Prosecutor General). / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Han Dong-hoon, Research Fellow (Chief Prosecutor) at the Legal Research Institute of the Ministry of Justice, who is under investigation for the alleged "collusion between prosecutors and media," requested the convening of the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee (Investigation Deliberation Committee) on the 13th.

With the convening of the Investigation Deliberation Committee already confirmed following the application by Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Investment Korea, who claims to be a victim in this case, this marks the fifth request for convening the committee, following former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae, the civic group Action Alliance for Restoring the Rule of Law, and the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media.

In a statement titled "Position on the Application for the Investigation Deliberation Committee," Prosecutor Han strongly denied the allegations, saying, "I was not involved in any reporting or investigation related to the ShillaJen lobbying, nor did I connect any reporters or informants with prosecutors in any form," and added, "The Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Busan High Prosecutors' Office is not in a position to interfere with the investigation by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, and the claim that the Deputy Chief Prosecutor, who was demoted due to investigations into current government officials, viewed the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office's investigation of current government officials as a 'lifeline' to regain a key position in Seoul under the current government is absurd."

He stated, "This case is essentially a 'plot' where a certain faction sought revenge for a past investigation and aimed to influence the general election by using the so-called 'Informant X' to lure reporters with a 'fake lobbying list tip' in an attempt to drag me in, but failed. They fabricated and spread false summaries of non-existent recordings, such as 'even if you didn't give money to Mr. Yoo, say you did,'" and claimed, "The details are gradually being revealed through objective materials such as the social media of those involved."

Prosecutor Han emphasized, "Since the facts of this case are mutually exclusive?whether it is a 'plot' or 'threat'?the substance of the 'plot' must be clarified first to determine whether the 'Informant X' side was subjected to threats or attempted coercion," and expressed strong dissatisfaction, saying, "However, while no meaningful investigation has been conducted into those who planned and executed the plot, the investigation is proceeding only against me, the victim of the plot, according to the 'frame' disseminated from the beginning of the complaint by the side leading the plot through friendly media and organizations like the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media."

He continued, "In a situation where investigation details are leaked in real time, and statements from investigation team members and Ministry of Justice officials preemptively suggest the investigation's conclusion, those involved in the plot, such as the MBC reporter who secretly filmed a fake hidden camera despite knowing there was no 'Informant X' lobbying list, are refusing to cooperate with the investigation and openly mocking public authority. It is also an abnormal situation where internal Ministry of Justice investigation-related documents are suspected to have been shared with suspects in the case," he added.

Finally, Prosecutor Han said, "I deeply regret the current situation where a fair investigation is difficult to expect," and declared, "I am applying for the convening of the Investigation Deliberation Committee today to uncover the truth."

Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Citizens' Committee held a sub-deliberation committee meeting on the same day and dismissed the request to convene the Investigation Deliberation Committee for former reporter Lee.