[Asia Economy reporters Seongpil Jo and Gyumin Oh] The police stated that they will "conduct the investigation according to law and procedure" regarding the accusation case of Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, concerning the 'allegation of ghostwriting his eldest daughter's thesis.'
On the 16th, Nam Gu-jun, head of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, responded this way when asked about the investigation stance on the case at a press conference. This statement dismisses concerns from some quarters that the police are vulnerable to investigations targeting the current power and indicates that the investigation will be conducted with the same standards as other accusation cases.
Earlier, on the 8th, the National Investigation Headquarters assigned the case, which was reported by civic groups including the Minsheng Economy Research Institute, to the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the morning of the same day. The civic groups reportedly raised issues in their accusation letter regarding Han's claims during the confirmation hearing, such as the 'allegation of ghostwriting his eldest daughter's thesis' and the 'allegation of plagiarism in his eldest daughter's international academic conference paper.'
The Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Police Agency assigned the case to the Anti-Corruption Crime Investigation Division 1 on the same day. After reviewing the contents of the accusation letter, the investigation team plans to summon the accusers to confirm the purpose of the accusation and the basic facts.
Meanwhile, regarding the investigation into lawmaker Park Wan-joo, who is accused of 'sexual misconduct,' Director Nam said, "There are sensitive aspects such as victim protection and prevention of secondary harm," and added, "We will proceed with the investigation according to procedure while respecting the victim's wishes." Earlier, civic groups including Halbindan reported Park to the police on the 13th for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, stating, "This should not end with just expulsion from the party." The Democratic Party held a caucus meeting on the morning of the same day and expelled Park.
Regarding the Woori Bank embezzlement case, Director Nam said, "We are currently promoting seizure and confiscation before indictment as a measure to restore damages." Concerning the recent rejection of the arrest warrant for Jang Ha-won, CEO of Discovery Asset Management, by the prosecution, he said, "The details of the prosecution's supplementary investigation are part of the investigation and difficult to disclose specifically," but added, "We will review whether to apply for an arrest warrant after the supplementary investigation."
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