Yoon Responds to Forced 검수완박 with 'Han Dong-hoon and Lee Sang-min'

Determined to Break Through with Closest Aides
Even if Democratic Party Bill Passes
Permanent Special Prosecutor Allows Minister of Justice
To Establish Special Prosecutor with Both Prosecution and Investigation Powers
Democratic and Justice Parties Demand Withdrawal

Minister of Justice nominee Han Dong-hoon is answering questions from the press at the 2nd Cabinet announcement held at the transition team's briefing room in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Transition Team Press Corps

Minister of the Interior and Safety nominee Sang-min Lee is answering reporters' questions at the 2nd Cabinet announcement held at the transition committee briefing room in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy reporters Ki-min Lee and Jun-yi Park] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol has been evaluated as directly responding to the Democratic Party's "Geomsu Wanbak" (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority) by nominating Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute (27th class, Chief Prosecutor), as Minister of Justice, and Lee Sang-min, former Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (18th class), as Minister of the Interior and Safety.

The president-elect's camp stated that Yoon had already earmarked Han as Minister of Justice immediately after the presidential election, but ultimately this move became a countermeasure against Geomsu Wanbak. The People Power Party considers this "radical appointment" appropriate, but the Democratic Party and the Justice Party have protested, demanding the withdrawal of the nominations.

According to the People Power Party and legal circles on the 14th, Yoon, who pledged to appoint responsible ministers, is seen as aiming to "administratively prevent the rampant corruption caused by Geomsu Wanbak" through his ministerial appointments.

Recently, Yoon's remark on Geomsu Wanbak?"Leave it to the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution, and focus on the people's livelihood issues"?is interpreted as a statement made with Han's nomination in mind.

This is because even if the Democratic Party's Geomsu Wanbak passes as law, the Minister of Justice can unilaterally appoint a special prosecutor with both indictment and investigative powers under the Special Prosecutor Act. This allows for the nullification of Geomsu Wanbak in specific cases.

Moreover, even if all investigative authority is transferred to the police, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the police's superior agency, is likely to communicate with the Ministry of Justice on major investigations. For this reason, it is speculated that Lee, a junior alumnus of Chung-Ang High School and Seoul National University Law School who has supported Yoon since his early political involvement, was appointed as Minister of the Interior and Safety.

Legal insiders familiar with Yoon, Han, and Lee said, "While the Democratic Party shouted 'general' with Geomsu Wanbak, Yoon, who understands legal principles well, shouted 'soldier' instead." They added, "If Chief Prosecutor Han is Yoon's well-sharpened 'spear,' then former Vice Chairman Lee, who has a scholar-like demeanor, is a solid 'shield,' which is why Yoon entrusted them."

The Democratic Party also expressed concerns that Han's authority might become excessively concentrated. On the same day, Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon described the appointments as "a strategic move in preparation for the post-prosecutorial reform legislation" during an MBC radio interview. He argued that if Yoon's close aides take charge of the ministries, "it will become a situation where Han Dong-hoon decides on cases investigated by a special prosecutor appointed by Yoon upon Han's recommendation," ultimately "partially nullifying Geomsu Wanbak."

In a political landscape where the opposition holds the majority, this could become a misstep that makes cooperation impossible from the start of the new administration. The Democratic Party is already raising voices demanding the withdrawal of the nominations.

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at a policy coordination meeting, "Yoon's nomination of Han, who verbally preaches fairness, common sense, and national unity, is an uppercut to the people who had hopes for the new government." He added, "If Han becomes both Chief Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs and Minister of Justice, he will become Yoon's Woo Byung-woo," demanding the withdrawal of the nomination. He further described it as "a challenge and threat to legislative authority."

Han showed a low-profile stance as much as possible. In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 14th, when asked about the modernization of legal administration and the public's right to know, he drew a line by saying, "Although I have made statements in the past as a private individual, it is difficult to comment as a ministerial candidate who must take responsibility." This is interpreted as a cautious attitude in response to the Democratic Party's framing of "political retaliation."