A 'Kkobugi' Sticker in Han Dong-hoon's Notebook... A Gift from an Elementary Student

Cartoon 'Pok?mon' Squirtle Sticker Sparks Buzz
"Please Create a Crime-Free Country" Gift from Elementary Student
Minister Presents 'Moby Dick' Saying "I Will Cherish It"

At the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session, where fierce debates took place over the introduction of a 'life sentence without parole,' a single sticker on Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon's diary became a major topic of interest.

Recently, online communities have focused their attention on Minister Han's diary, which was captured by the committee's broadcast camera on the 23rd of last month. It was revealed that the sticker is of 'Squirtle,' a representative character from the famous cartoon 'Pok?mon.'

[Image source=Online community capture]

Netizens who unexpectedly encountered Squirtle in such a setting responded with comments like "I put stickers on mine too, it's cute," "The minister must enjoy Pok?mon bread as well," and "Why on earth did he put a Squirtle sticker on there?" Afterwards, the 'Squirtle sticker' seemed to be settled as simply reflecting Minister Han's personal taste.

However, according to an MBN report on the 4th, the sticker was actually a gift given to Minister Han along with a handwritten letter from a fourth-grade elementary school student around the 7th of last month.

The letter from the student included a greeting saying, "I have seen you on TV a lot. Thank you for working hard for our country."

It also said, "I want to become a great person like you, Minister. But you are so busy that you might not see this letter, right?" and requested, "If you do see this letter, could you send me your autograph? And if we meet someday, please take a photo with me."

The letter continued, "Please stay healthy in this hot weather and make our country a place where crimes do not happen often," and "I will also become a wonderful person who helps others like you, Minister."

The student attached the 'Squirtle sticker' they liked by clipping it to the corner of the letter paper. It appears that Minister Han saw this letter and then put the Squirtle sticker on his diary.

A Letter Sent by an Elementary School Student to Minister Han.

According to MBN, Minister Han replied to the student, saying, "I have received your letter and the Squirtle sticker well," and added, "It’s a rare and precious thing to get. I will keep it carefully. Thank you," along with a gift of Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick.

He said, "I remember most of the things that happened around when I was in fourth grade. Looking back, life hasn’t changed that much since then," and added, "I think it would be good to read many good books, listen to good music, watch good movies, and think a lot. Taste is important in life, and it’s all made that way."

Regarding the gifted Moby-Dick, he said, "It’s a book I like, but if you read it now, it will definitely be boring," and "It was published in 1851 and has survived for 172 years, so don’t rush, but read it when you feel like it." He also added, "Being a bit boring seems to be the essence of life, and that’s also its charm."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Minister Han emphasized the push for a 'life sentence without parole' (absolute life imprisonment), saying, "Now is the time to prioritize the human rights of victims and their families over those of perpetrators," and stressed, "I do not think it is useless to send a message to suspects who commit violent heinous crimes that 'there will be no more chances in life for you' through this punishment."