'Investigation into Handonghun's Drinking Party Allegations'... Hwang Heeseok Represents in Compensation Lawsuit

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon announced the special New Year's pardon recipients on the 27th of last month at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Regarding the legal action taken by Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon against the YouTube media outlet 'Citizen Press The TamSa' personnel who raised the so-called 'Cheongdam-dong drinking party allegations' and Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom, it has been confirmed that former Open Democratic Party Supreme Council member Hwang Hee-seok, a lawyer, is representing The TamSa in the damages lawsuit.

According to the legal community on the 2nd, former Supreme Council member Hwang, a lawyer at Yangjae Law Firm (Judicial Research and Training Institute class 31), recently submitted a power of attorney for the lawsuit against The TamSa to the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 14 (Presiding Judge Seo Bo-min). This court is currently hearing a damages claim lawsuit worth about 1 billion KRW filed by Minister Han last December against lawmaker Kim and The TamSa CEO Kang Jin-gu. The first trial date has not yet been set.

Earlier, in October last year, lawmaker Kim raised allegations during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s comprehensive audit that Minister Han held a late-night drinking party at a high-end bar in Cheongdam-dong on July 19-20 with President Yoon and 30 lawyers from Kim & Chang law firm. The TamSa also reported on the related allegations. However, Minister Han denied this, and statements from related parties indicated the allegations were unfounded. Lawmaker Kim expressed "deep regret" and stepped back, but Minister Han announced a tough stance, saying "there is no need to apologize and responsibility must be taken." He then filed a damages claim lawsuit and also filed complaints against lawmaker Kim and others for violations of the Information and Communications Network Act and defamation.

Meanwhile, Hwang, who is representing The TamSa in the lawsuit, has also been involved in various civil and criminal disputes with Minister Han. Hwang was recently indicted without detention on charges of defamation by false facts after raising the so-called 'No Moo-hyun Foundation account tracking' allegations targeting Minister Han. In November 2021, Hwang reportedly stated on a TBS program that "(Minister Han) caught former No Moo-hyun Foundation director Yoo Si-min, who was protecting former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, and opened the foundation’s account transaction details to influence the general election." In relation to this, Minister Han also filed a damages claim lawsuit worth about 200 million KRW against Hwang and TBS.

Former Supreme Council member Hwang, along with Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook, also filed complaints in September 2021 against President Yoon, Minister Han, Prosecutor Son Jun-sung, and People Power Party lawmakers Kim Woong and Jung Jeom-sik, among seven others, regarding the 'accusation inducement allegations.' This allegation involved the prosecution allegedly instructing the then-opposition party Future United Party (predecessor of People Power Party) to accuse pro-government figures. The investigative authorities indicted only Prosecutor Son and cleared Minister Han and others without charges.

Representatives Kang Jin-gu (left) and Choi Young-min of the YouTube media outlet 'Simineonron The Tam-sa,' accused of trespassing at the residence of Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, are expressing their stance before attending the pre-trial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on the 29th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]