Democratic Party Focuses Questions on Han Dong-hoon in Budget Committee Supplementary Review... Han: "Political Prosecutor's Careerism? The Past 3 Years Have Been the Worst"

On the 19th, a barrage of personnel-related questions during the supplementary budget review by the Budget Committee
Kim Han-jung: "Why do you think there is so much controversy over the appointment of the Minister of Justice?"
Han Dong-hoon: "As the person who received the previous appointment... it's difficult to speculate"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon, Kwon Hyun-ji] The National Assembly has begun reviewing the supplementary budget bill (추경) worth a total of 59 trillion won. Over two days starting from the 19th, the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts started examining the supplementary budget, but most of the morning session was occupied by questions related to Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon's personnel matters, leading some to criticize it as a 'Han Dong-hoon confirmation hearing.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, Minister Han responded to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Han-jung's question about the 'refusal to disclose cellphone password' incident that arose during the investigation of the alleged collusion between prosecutors and media by saying, "I am the subject of an unfair investigation, and as the Minister of Justice, I believe that constitutional fundamental rights must not be nullified by political attacks."

When Kim asked, "If you say it's a political attack, does that mean it's okay to unlock the cellphone password or to destroy and hide evidence?" Han retorted, "Not only me, but former Governor Lee Jae-myung also did something similar." In response, Kim raised his voice, saying, "Don't keep bringing up former Governor Lee." He then added, "This is why there is opposition to the Prosecutor's Republic and the Minister of Justice. They are engaging in political strife."

Minister Han also replied to Kim's question, "Why do you think there was so much controversy over the appointment of the Minister of Justice?" by saying, "Since I am the person who received the appointment, I cannot speculate on the feelings of the person who made the appointment."

Regarding the prosecution personnel reshuffle, which is regarded as the revival of the so-called 'Yoon Seok-yeol line,' Han said, "I believe the appointments were made based on ability and fairness." When asked if it was a 'Yoon Seok-yeol appointment,' he corrected himself, saying, "It is an appointment of the current administration."

When Kim asked, "Why do you think there is a common perception that political prosecutors get promoted?" Han answered, "I think the last three years were the worst," adding, "I will do my best to avoid such mistakes."

Furthermore, in response to the question, "The media now talks about the Prosecutor's Republic. This is not just the opposition's claim. Why do you think the term Prosecutor's Republic is being used?" Minister Han said, "I believe the Republic of Korea is a democratic republic where the people are the owners," and added, "I find it hard to agree with the claim that the Yoon Seok-yeol government only cooperates with special prosecutors, as mentioned by lawmaker Kim."