Handonghun, National Assembly Audit Debut Today... Heated Debate Expected on Prosecution Investigation, Prosecutor Service Restoration, and Lone Star

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, will make his debut at the National Assembly inspection on the 6th. Having engaged in memorable verbal battles with members of the Democratic Party of Korea in official settings, he is expected to engage in sharp confrontations again over issues related to the prosecution and the Ministry of Justice, drawing attention.

Minister Han will appear before the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Law Committee) on the day to undergo the inspection. The Law Committee audits five institutions: the Ministry of Justice, the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, the Korea Rehabilitation Welfare Corporation, the Government Legal Corporation, and the Immigration Policy Research Institute. Among these, the Ministry of Justice is undoubtedly the center of attention.

First, Minister Han is expected to express his stance on the prosecution currently investigating allegations surrounding the Moon Jae-in administration and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. The prosecution is currently probing cases such as the 'forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen' and the 'shooting of a public official in the West Sea.' To uncover the facts of these cases, they have accelerated investigations, including raiding the Presidential Archives. Regarding Lee, the investigation is focused on allegations of 'Seongnam FC sponsorship funds' and 'lawyer fee payments.' Last month, Lee was also indicted for allegedly spreading false information during the presidential election campaign under the Public Official Election Act.

Next, Minister Han is expected to have a major confrontation with Democratic Party lawmakers over 'Geomsu Wanbok' (complete restoration of prosecution’s investigative authority). Minister Han has consistently opposed the 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecution’s investigative authority) bill and recently expanded the scope of prosecution investigations by redefining the types of corruption and economic crimes prosecutors can investigate through amendments to enforcement ordinances. Additionally, on the 27th of last month, he personally appeared at the Constitutional Court’s public hearing on the Geomsu Wanbak authority dispute and strongly criticized the Geomsu Wanbak law.

The response to the Lone Star international investment dispute (ISDS) case is also expected to come under scrutiny. In August, the arbitration panel ruled that the Korean government must compensate 292.5 billion KRW out of the 6 trillion KRW in damages claimed by Lone Star. The Ministry of Justice plans to file a cancellation request against this ruling. However, there is concern due to critical views about the considerable amount of taxpayers’ money being spent on international disputes. According to the 'ISDS-related budget execution status' materials submitted to the National Assembly inspection by Democratic Party lawmaker So Byung-chul from the Ministry of Justice, Financial Services Commission, and National Tax Service, the Korean government has spent a total of 68.475 billion KRW on ISDS responses since 2013.

Furthermore, Minister Han is expected to receive many questions regarding measures to prevent stalking crimes, which have become an issue following the recent 'Sindang Station station worker murder case.' He may also clarify the progress and stance on lowering the age of criminal responsibility for juvenile offenders (ages 10 to 14 who are not subject to criminal punishment), resolving overcrowding in correctional facilities, and establishing an immigration agency, all initiatives currently being promoted by the Ministry of Justice. Opinions on the Yellow Envelope Act, which has come to the forefront alongside the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering subcontractor union strike, are also expected to be shared.