Gominjeong "Kim Gunhee Must Be Summoned for Investigation"... Handonghun "Will Follow the Law", Unyielding 15-Minute Debate

Gominjeong Launches Fierce Attack on Han Donghoon in National Assembly Budget Committee Inquiry
Gao: "Why Not Summon Kim Geonhee for Investigation?" VS Han: "Investigation Methods Are Diverse"
Han Responds to Lee Siwon's Criticism: "Previous Administration Promoted Prosecutors Involved in Abuse of Power"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is responding to a question from Kim Han-jung, a member of the Democratic Party, during the full meeting of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Lee Jung-hoon [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] On the 19th, at the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Special Committee's comprehensive policy questioning, Go Min-jeong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, engaged in a fiery exchange.

At the plenary meeting of the National Assembly Budget Committee held that day to review the second supplementary budget, the Democratic Party launched a fierce attack on Minister Han, resembling an 'extension of the confirmation hearing.' In particular, Rep. Go devoted all 15 minutes of her questioning time to aggressively questioning Minister Han about the investigation into the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case' and Lee Si-won, the Public Office Discipline Secretary at the Presidential Office.

Rep. Go mentioned that a search and seizure related to the 'Ministry of Industry Blacklist Case' took place just two days after Minister Han's inauguration, and pointed out, "Shouldn't Mrs. Kim Geon-hee also be summoned for investigation? Are you trying to investigate the dead power more strictly?" Mrs. Kim is under prosecution investigation for alleged involvement in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation.

In response, Minister Han said, "I believe the investigation should be the same regardless of who the subject is, even if the name is concealed," but when further questioned about whether Mrs. Kim would be summoned, he avoided a direct answer by stating, "There are various investigation methods. The prosecution will handle it fairly."

There was also a dispute regarding Prosecutor Lee Si-won, who was disciplined in connection with the 'Seoul City Public Official Spy Fabrication Case.' Rep. Go referred to Minister Han's two-year investigation related to the 'Channel A case' and asked, "You seemed to be wronged by the 'media collusion' allegations. Then how do you think Mr. Yoo Woo-sung (a victim of the spy fabrication case) must have felt?" Minister Han responded by correcting, "It was not 'media collusion' but 'power-media collusion,'" and drew a line by saying, "It's not appropriate to ask for personal impressions."

Following this, when Rep. Go criticized the appointment of Prosecutor Lee as Public Office Discipline Secretary by asking, "Is it acceptable for a disciplined prosecutor to flourish?" Minister Han retorted, "In the previous administration, a prosecutor who assaulted me in office was promoted. I will not allow such things to happen." This was a rebuttal pointing out that Jeong Jin-ung, then head of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, who was indicted for assaulting Minister Han during the 'Channel A case' investigation despite being a subject of investigation, was promoted to Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office.