Handonghun on Choi Gangwook's Opposition to the Search Raid: "This Is Not a Normal Reaction"

Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, responded to the opposition from Choi Kang-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who became the target of a police search and seizure related to the leak of Han’s personal information, by saying, "It is not normal for the perpetrator to blame the victim."

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon [Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Han made these remarks on the 5th while attending the unveiling ceremony of the Korean War fallen correctional officers memorial tower held at the Seoul Southern Correctional Facility. He stated, "I have never reported or filed a complaint regarding the incident," and added, "I understand this is an investigation conducted by the police under a court-issued warrant."

On the same day, Choi Kang-wook, at his office in the National Assembly Members’ Office Building where the police conducted the search, told reporters, "Public authority should not be abused like this over a personal issue of the minister," and criticized, "Would this have happened if it were not Han Dong-hoon?"

Minister Han also rebutted the Democratic Party’s criticism that he was abusing the 'prosecutor dispatch system,' saying, "In the past, when outsiders were used, many people from specific groups or biased political organizations entered. That was more problematic," and added, "The Democratic Party’s criticism is unjust." Although he did not mention any specific group by name, it is interpreted that he was referring to the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, with whom he had a verbal confrontation.

Regarding the recent amendment by the Ministry of Justice to the 'Guidelines on the Treatment of Juvenile Offenders,' which established university preparation classes and broadcasting and communication university education classes in juvenile detention centers, he explained, "Juvenile inmates who have been convicted should feel sorry and repent to the victims," but also said, "It is the state’s duty to provide education necessary during an important period of life."

Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook is entering his office at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 5th while responding to questions from the press. On the same day, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit reportedly executed a search warrant on Representative Choi in connection with allegations of personal information leakage involving Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice unveiled a memorial tower engraved with the names of 167 correctional officers who died in the line of duty during the Korean War at the unveiling ceremony that day. In his eulogy, Minister Han expressed his condolences, saying, "We are here today because of the 167 who silently walked the path of predetermined death and hardship."