Handonghun: "Lee Jaemyung's Prosecution Investigation Does Not Constitute a Retaliation or Targeted Investigation Frame"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is seated as a petitioner at the public hearing held on the afternoon of the 27th in the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to determine the constitutionality of the 'Complete Prosecution Reform' bill. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 6th, Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, appeared at the National Assembly's audit and rebutted claims that the prosecution's investigation into Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was biased, stating that "the framework of retaliation or targeted investigation itself does not hold up."

Minister Han arrived at the National Assembly in the morning to attend the Ministry of Justice's audit and said, "Many of these issues arose during the Democratic Party's internal primary process and have been ongoing for a long time."

He added, "It is common for those under criminal investigation to make various statements in defense," and said, "They should respond to the investigation within the procedures of the Republic of Korea's judicial system just like any other citizen."

Regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Un-ha's criticism of the Ministry of Justice's revision of the enforcement decree for 'Geomsuwonbok' (restoration of the prosecution's investigative authority), where he said, "There is no country where the prosecution acts like gangsters in investigations," Minister Han responded, "No one in this country would think that prosecutors should not investigate gangsters, drug dealers, or their backing forces."

On the recent stalking incident he experienced, he said, "It seems they tried to catch a weakness by following me at night," and added, "They probably hoped I would go to some strange bar, but I believe this country should not allow people who dislike others to repeatedly follow them by car at night to catch weaknesses."

Regarding his first appearance at the audit, he said, "Whether in the National Assembly or the executive branch, we are public servants of the people, so I see this as an opportunity to explain to the public," and promised, "I will explain sincerely and calmly."