President Moon's Remarks on 'Blocking Complete Prosecution Reform' Directly Target Han Dong-hoon at the Center of Old and New Power Conflict

Conflict Between Old and New Powers Over 검수완박
Moon Targets Han Dong-hoon, Calling His Expression "Very Dangerous"
Han Responds, "Opposing 검수완박 Is a Matter of Conscience"

Minister of Justice nominee Han Dong-hoon is listening attentively to reporters' questions as he arrives at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where his nominee office was set up, on the morning of the 15th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Political circles inside and outside are abuzz regarding President Moon Jae-in's direct targeting of Justice Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon's remarks on 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak).' President Moon had refrained from expressing specific opinions on the legislation of the Geomsu Wanbak bill so far, but he used unusually strong language calling Han's remarks 'inappropriate.' Han, a close aide of President-elect Yoon Seok-youl and an opponent of Geomsu Wanbak, appears to be at the center of the conflict between the old and new powers.

In a conversation with former JTBC anchor Sohn Suk-hee broadcast on the 25th, President Moon criticized Han's statement that the Democratic Party's Geomsu Wanbak bill would be 'definitely blocked' as "very inappropriate." President Moon said, "The expression itself is very dangerous. As a Justice Minister and someone who has long been part of the prosecution, he may oppose the separation of investigative authority or say that sufficient procedures must be followed, but such expressions are inappropriate."

When former anchor Sohn said, "(Han) talks about the pretext of preventing harm to the people," President Moon raised the criticism level, saying, "You should not casually invoke the people. If you talk about the people, you must have a lot of consideration," and "No particular group can monopolize justice in the Republic of Korea."

Han also did not back down, saying opposition to Geomsu Wanbak is a 'matter of conscience.' On the 26th, the day after the conversation was made public, Han issued a statement saying, "Legislation at the level of a 'constitutional amendment,' which will clearly cause great harm to the people due to the collapse of the crime response system, is about to pass without even a single 'public hearing with the people.' It is a matter of professional ethics and conscience for a Justice Minister nominee responsible for the field not to speak out and remain silent."

Han has publicly expressed opposition to the Geomsu Wanbak bill. During the process when the People Power Party turned to 'reconsideration' of the Geomsu Wanbak mediation plan agreed upon by both parties, Representative Lee Jun-seok also sought Han's opinion. It is reported that Han explained the problems and side effects of the mediation plan during a phone call with Representative Lee.

President Moon's remarks came before the People Power Party declared reconsideration of the mediation plan (the conversation was recorded on the 14th-15th). However, it is interpreted that he expressed a critical stance toward Han, a close aide of President-elect Yoon and a candidate for the next Justice Minister, who shows a hardline position on Geomsu Wanbak. President Moon has acknowledged the necessity of Geomsu Wanbak while emphasizing dialogue and consultation between the ruling and opposition parties.

The Democratic Party is launching an offensive against the People Power Party, which turned down the mediation plan, saying, "The position of a political party changed with a single phone call from a ministerial nominee." At the emergency committee meeting on the 27th, Co-Chair Park Ji-hyun said, "It is really absurd that a single ministerial nominee overturned the decision of 110 People Power Party lawmakers elected by the people with one phone call and then talks about professional ethics and conscience. Han, who worked as a prosecutor but broke the law and committed illegal gift tax evasion and false address registration, should confess his past mistakes in accordance with professional ethics and conscience and resign," she demanded.

On the other hand, the People Power Party opposed President Moon's remarks. In an interview with BBS , Representative Lee Jun-seok said, "I hope President Moon also speaks cautiously about the Geomsu Wanbak discussion. It is not a matter to take a too declarative stance. Han is a person with sufficient experience as an investigative prosecutor. If he thinks something is wrong, not pointing it out is dereliction of duty," defending Han.