Han Dong-hoon, After Prosecutor Personnel Changes, Heads to Washington, D.C.... Visits World Bank, FBI, and More

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, who has completed all regular personnel appointments at the prosecution, boarded a flight to Washington D.C., USA, on the morning of the 29th. Over the course of ten days, he plans to visit the World Bank (IBRD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United Nations (UN) headquarters to learn about their systems and meet key personnel to seek their insights. Before departure, Minister Han briefly explained to reporters, "This is a business trip to establish routine cooperation."

According to the Ministry of Justice, upon arriving in Washington D.C. on the same day, Minister Han will visit the World Bank to meet with the Vice President and General Counsel, as well as the Vice President and Chief Auditor. The World Bank is an international economic organization established to eradicate global poverty and support the economic development of developing countries. From 2012 to 2019, Dr. Kim Yong, a Korean-American physician, served as its president. Minister Han is expected to discuss the rapidly changing global economic situation, economic crimes, and responses to crimes affecting the public with the General Counsel and Chief Auditor, and to request active cooperation in international investigations.

The following day, he will visit the FBI to meet Director Christopher Wray. This is the most critical part of the trip. Minister Han intends to observe the FBI’s personnel verification system firsthand and benchmark it for the operation of the Ministry of Justice’s Personnel Information Management Division. The FBI is the role model identified by the Korean government after abolishing the Office of Civil Affairs and transferring personnel verification functions to the Ministry of Justice. The FBI conducts background checks on public office candidates requiring presidential appointment. However, it only reports the facts uncovered during investigations to superiors and does not express any opinion on whether to appoint the candidate. The FBI guarantees independence not only in personnel verification but also in investigations, and does not tolerate intervention, command, or supervision by the Minister of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice explained that, based on this, the Personnel Information Management Division would be assigned only the "first-stage verification work," but concerns remain about the potential involvement of the Minister of Justice and the prosecution in personnel verification. Some voices argue that it is unreasonable to compare the completely independent FBI with the Personnel Information Management Division under the Ministry of Justice. Minister Han must find solutions at the FBI. The Ministry of Justice also stated that it is coordinating the schedule to visit the U.S. Department of Justice on the 30th or the 1st of next month. Minister Han said, "The U.S. federal government has many points of contact and cooperative relationships with our Ministry of Justice," adding, "There are many things we need to learn from each other, so I will report back."

Additionally, Minister Han plans to visit the UN headquarters on the 5th of next month. On the 29th, he will also visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial to lay a wreath. There is also a possibility that he will visit U.S. correctional facilities. Since taking office, Minister Han has repeatedly emphasized improving the treatment of correctional officers and has frequently toured correctional facilities, including visits to Cheongju Prison and Cheongju Detention Center for Foreigners on the 10th of this month.