"The Prelude to a Prosecutor's Republic"... Democratic Party Opposes Han Dong-hoon’s Nomination as Minister of Justice

Yoon Nominates Han Dong-hoon as Minister of Justice... "The Right Person to Establish the Judicial System"
Democratic Party: "An Unimaginable Personnel Outcome," "We Will Give Up on Cooperation"

Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, who has been nominated as Minister of Justice, is listening to the second cabinet announcement of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol at the briefing room of the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 13th, President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol nominated Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute (Chief Prosecutor), as the Minister of Justice candidate. In response, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized the nomination as a "terrorist act against the public" and an "explicit declaration of political revenge," demanding the withdrawal of the nomination.

Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, said at the personnel hearing liaison meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "This is not just a personnel disaster but a terrorist act against the public," and directly attacked it as "a full-scale and blatant declaration of political revenge against the people who desire unity."

He continued, "No matter how much the cabinet appointments are the prerogative of the president-elect, there are lines that must be respected and common sense of the people. Which citizen would accept and agree to this?" He insisted, "If you consider national unity and cooperation with the opposition party, the nomination of candidate Han must be withdrawn."

Oh Young-hwan, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, also criticized in a briefing, "The prologue to a prosecutorial republic has begun. The personnel results beyond imagination are shocking," and said, "President-elect Yoon is declaring his intention to privatize prosecutorial power."

He pointed out, "During the last presidential election, President-elect Yoon promised to relinquish presidential power and abolish the Blue House's civil affairs secretary," adding, "However, nominating candidate Han can only be interpreted as entrusting both the roles of Minister of Justice and civil affairs secretary."

Oh, the floor spokesperson, said, "As of today, the Democratic Party will completely give up expectations for cooperation with President-elect Yoon," and added, "We will do everything in our power to protect the basic rights of the people and normalize the prosecution against Yoon's prosecutorial dictatorship."

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is announcing the second round of Cabinet member candidates and the appointment of the Presidential Secretary at the briefing room of the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th. On the right is Han Dong-hoon, appointed as Minister of Justice and Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

Senior lawmakers are also raising their voices in criticism. Five-term lawmaker Ahn Min-seok of the Democratic Party said on Facebook, "The nomination of Han Dong-hoon is a declaration of a prosecutorial republic. The Yoon Seok-yeol government is declaring war on the opposition," and added, "Do not expect cooperation from the new government. The Democratic Party must fight firmly."

Three-term lawmaker Park Wan-joo of the Democratic Party also posted on Facebook, "I couldn't believe my eyes. Candidate Han is a key figure in the prosecution-media collusion allegations and a close aide of the president-elect," and claimed, "I strongly suspect this is a reward appointment for keeping 'someone' by tightly sealing his lips and being uncooperative in investigations for two years, along with his phone password."

He continued, "It also reveals once again the old-fashioned politics of the prosecution where you must be in the right line to succeed," and emphasized, "The personnel hearing for the Minister of Justice must thoroughly verify the candidate's qualifications in line with public common sense."

Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Chung-rae said on Facebook, "I can't believe it," and asked, "Does this mean all senior prosecutors above Han Dong-hoon should leave?"

Meanwhile, candidate Han is regarded as a representative 'special prosecutor' who has investigated various power-related corruption crimes.

President-elect Yoon said at a press conference at the transition committee in Tongui-dong, Seoul, at 2 p.m. that day, explaining the background of selecting candidate Han: "He has held key positions in the Ministry of Justice and prosecution for 20 years and has built expertise in investigation, trial, prosecutorial system, and legal administration."

He added, "I judged that he is the right person to modernize legal administration and establish a judicial system that meets global standards."