Goei vs Goei... The Paradox of Han Dong-hoon and Kim Eui-gyeom's Strange Debate

Minister of Justice and Main Opposition Party Spokesperson Exchange Heated Words Daily
Han Dong-hoon Enters Political Stage, Opposition Party Both Criticizes and Supports

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] An unusual dispute between the current Minister of Justice and the spokesperson of the main opposition party has emerged as a key topic in the New Year's political landscape. The verbal clash between the head of the Ministry of Justice and a member of the National Assembly in the arena of off-stage politics symbolizes South Korean politics in January 2023.

The dictionary definition of 괴이 (goei) is 'so strange as to be incomprehensible.' Although 괴이 is not a word typically associated with political disputes, it stands at the center of this issue. The prelude to the 괴이 controversy was on the 2nd of this month. Since last year, Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon and the Democratic Party have been engaged in a tense standoff over investigations involving opposition politicians.

The verbal exchanges continued during the National Assembly’s audit and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee meetings. On the morning of the 2nd, Minister Han, while heading to the Ministry of Justice building in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, fired a direct shot at the Democratic Party in front of reporters. Minister Han stated, "If this were a story from a distant past or a faraway country, it might be laughable, but since this is a story about our country in 2023, it is not funny at all. It is simply strange."

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is announcing the special New Year's pardon recipients on December 27, 2022, at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The target of Minister Han’s description of strangeness was the Democratic Party. He said, "It is not funny whether a politician takes bribes or a political party openly shields bribery crimes." In other words, he likened the Democratic Party to a party that protects bribery crimes.

The day after Minister Han ignited the 괴이 controversy, Kim Eui-gyeom, a Democratic Party spokesperson and member of the National Assembly, launched a counterattack.

On the 3rd, Representative Kim appeared on YTN Radio’s "News King with Park Ji-hoon" and said, "Yesterday (the 2nd), Minister Han described the Democratic Party leadership as strange, just strange. But I think this current appearance of Minister Han is something never before seen or heard in the history of the Republic of Korea, and Han Dong-hoon himself is truly the strangest minister."

Representative Kim said, "These days, Minister Han is making statements on every issue. Every time I see that, I feel like I am watching a play." He added, "Minister Han is doing the doorstepping that President Yoon Seok-youl used to do. That’s the impression I get."

Kim Eui-gyeom, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on November 25, 2022, listening to remarks by Representative Lee Jae-myung with a serious expression. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The claim is that President Yoon Seok-youl, who is the lead figure by position in South Korea, is being overshadowed by Minister Han, who is playing the lead role instead of a supporting actor.

It is uncommon to see the Minister of Justice and the opposition party spokesperson exchanging verbal blows day after day. The fact that the 괴이 controversy has become a focus of attention in Yeouido’s political circles itself indicates that Minister Han has stepped onto the stage of real politics.

Messages from a person responsible for a specific government department being perceived as political language is a burden for Minister Han. Considering his status as a public official who is required to maintain political neutrality, this could come back to haunt him like a boomerang.

However, if Minister Han sheds his public official title and starts full-fledged politics, the situation changes. The jabs thrown by the Democratic Party at Minister Han could have the effect of increasing his political value. Regardless of Minister Han’s intentions, the Democratic Party is fueling his rise as a dark horse in the next presidential election.

Even politicians who become senior lawmakers with three or four terms often feel a thirst for recognition. High recognition is a major asset for politicians. Gaining nationwide recognition is much more difficult than being elected as a member of the National Assembly from a specific region. Minister Han is building presidential candidate-level recognition through his battles with the main opposition party even before officially entering politics. The Democratic Party is playing the role of an assistant in this rise in recognition.