Handonghun's 'Local Corruption' Remark Provokes Opposition Party... "Politician Handonghun" (Summary)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is facing strong backlash from the party after receiving a summons for investigation related to the 'Daejang-dong·Wirye' breach of trust allegations, just six days after appearing before the prosecution regarding the 'Seongnam FC' sponsorship fund suspicion on the 10th. Meanwhile, criticism continues over Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon referring to the Daejang-dong case as 'local corruption' and making strong remarks such as "The public is more curious about the backers of the gangsters rather than the gangsters who catch them."

Ko Min-jung, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said on the 17th on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "He (Minister Han) even used the term 'local corruption crime,' but in fact, he makes so many remarks that he should resign from his position as minister."

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

'Local corruption' refers to Minister Han's explanation during his visit to the National Assembly for the Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day, describing Lee's 'Daejang-dong·Wirye' breach of trust case as "a local corruption crime in Seongnam City."

She added, "Discussing each and every case individually is something that should be done in court, and if it is the prosecution or the Minister of Justice, it is common sense not to comment on individual cases at all," and continued, "I don't know if he has no intention of continuing as minister or if it is confidence that he is above the law, but it seems he has already lost any proper attitude expected of a minister."

Regarding Lee's re-summons, she said, "Since everyone knows it is a political prosecution, they obviously intended to put it on the Lunar New Year table first, so it is not very surprising."

She further stated, "The prosecution will continue to raise or leak each investigation case one by one when the time comes, but we cannot keep being dragged along every time," and added, "If the prosecution has even a little consideration for the Republic of Korea, I hope they act more refined."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min also criticized on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' saying, "This statement is not appropriate for a Minister of Justice," and pointed out, "This is a statement by 'politician Han Dong-hoon.'" It is interpreted that Minister Han makes such remarks conscious of conservative supporters. Although he has not officially entered politics, he is recording support rates equivalent to the second place among presidential candidates in various opinion polls.

Kim said, "(This is) a statement by politician Han Dong-hoon, but such remarks are repeatedly broadcasted," and added, "I hope they stop asking politicians for opinions on this. It is a statement with little meaning."

Regarding whether Lee will comply with this summons, he said, "he thinks Lee will respond during the investigation process," and "the person involved will decide on their own, but since Lee is not an individual but the leader of our first party, he will make a well-considered decision."