Handonghun "Democratic Party, My 'Impeachment' Catchphrase... Will Respond Confidently"

Following the Constitutional Court's ruling that the legislation on 'Geomsu Wanbak (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Authority)' is valid, the Democratic Party of Korea has called for the impeachment of Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. In response, Minister Han stated, "If impeachment is proposed, I will face it confidently."

Minister Han Dong-hoon (left photo) arriving at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 23rd, and Park Beom-gye, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, leaving the Grand Bench after the Constitutional Court ruling on the authority dispute regarding the legislation on the complete removal of prosecution investigation rights (Geomsu Wanbak). [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 24th, Minister Han released a statement saying, "When a law containing harmful provisions to the public, such as the abolition of the complainant's right to object, is enacted through improper procedures like 'fake party withdrawal' and 'splitting sessions' with the wrongful intent to block investigations into crimes by their own politicians, it is the duty of the Minister of Justice to do their utmost to prevent harm to the public."

Minister Han added, "Since last year, the Democratic Party has habitually talked about impeaching me to prevent me from fulfilling this duty," and affirmed that he would respond confidently.

The day before, the Constitutional Court dismissed the constitutional dispute petition filed by Minister Han and six prosecutors against the Speaker of the National Assembly by a 5 to 4 vote. The court stated, "The Minister of Justice does not have the standing to file the petition, and the prosecutors are not recognized as having a constitutional right infringement."

In response, members of the Democratic Party of Korea raised questions about Minister Han's responsibility and demanded his resignation.

On the same day, Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the on-site Supreme Council meeting, "Minister Han should take responsibility for the Constitutional Court's ruling and resign," adding, "As the Minister of Justice and a former prosecutor, Minister Han could not have been unaware of the 'basic fact' that he lacked 'standing' while proceeding with the lawsuit." He criticized, "Drunk on arrogance and power as the second-in-command of the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecutor regime, he shamelessly challenged the legislative authority of the National Assembly."

Assemblyman Hwang Un-ha also stated on BBS Radio, "We must not tolerate a mere cabinet member directly challenging the legislative authority of the National Assembly," and added, "It is only right that he takes responsibility and steps down first, and if Minister Han refuses to resign, impeachment proceedings at the National Assembly level may be considered."

Park Beom-gye, a member of the National Assembly who served as Minister of Justice under the Moon Jae-in administration, criticized on CBS Radio, "Minister Han's remark that he finds it difficult to agree with the Constitutional Court's decision is nothing but defiance," and said, "Considering that he mentioned continuing to create enforcement ordinances, this is a serious problem." Regarding the impeachment calls, he said, "That is going too far," but added, "Since serious issues are occurring, we need to review that matter."