Han Dong-hoon Remains Silent on Kim Gun-hee Luxury Bag Controversy: "My Position Stands"

"Concerns for the Public Including Security Issues"
Special Inspector Actively Considering Measures

Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, refrained from elaborating on specific details regarding the allegations of luxury handbag acceptance involving Kim Geon-hee, the spouse of President Yoon Seok-yeol, stating, "My position remains the same." Although expressions such as 'the public's perspective' were used concerning Kim's response, the remarks remained at a general level.

Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Kwanhun Club invitation debate held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

At the Kwanhun Club discussion held at the Seoul Press Center on the 7th, Chairman Han was asked, "How do you think the response should have been?" regarding the controversy over Kim's luxury handbag acceptance. He replied, "I will have to repeat what I have said about this issue," adding, "As I mentioned before, it is fundamentally a lowly hidden camera operation. From the beginning, that handbag was purchased to film a scene." He continued, "There were certainly concerns among the public regarding security issues and various preceding and subsequent processes. This is a matter that can be supplemented in the future, such as by establishing a second secretariat or appointing a special inspector," and stated, "My position remains unchanged." The public concern related to Kim was mentioned only to the extent that security was breached by hidden cameras, etc.

Earlier, Chairman Han drew attention by citing 'the public's perspective' in relation to this controversy. However, when asked for a detailed explanation of this remark during the discussion, he responded only, "As a politician working from the public's perspective, I pointed out that part."

Throughout the question-and-answer session, Chairman Han repeatedly emphasized that this controversy is a 'hidden camera operation' and mentioned public concerns. However, without clearly specifying which aspects were public concerns, he said, "It is clear that there were points of anxiety and worry from the public's perspective," and added, "I think we should ensure that such issues do not occur in the future." Regarding special inspectors, he mentioned, "It is an existing system," and stated, "I have an active mindset about how to proceed."

Meanwhile, concerning the delayed prosecution investigation into the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, which involves allegations related to Kim, he said, "I cannot represent or speak on behalf of the prosecution's position." However, regarding the special prosecutor law, which was passed by the opposition party in the National Assembly but blocked by President Yoon's veto, he said, "It is clearly an election-law designed for the general election."