Handonghun Apologizes for 'Request to Cancel Prosecution' Disclosure... "Did Not Intend to Belittle"

Korea Apologizes on Facebook for Lack of Caution

Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for party leader, apologized on the 18th for his revelation regarding Na Kyung-won's request to cancel the Fast Track prosecution, stating, "I did not intend to belittle those who suffered due to the Fast Track clash incident."

On the same day, Han posted on his Facebook, "I apologize for my lack of caution," and expressed regret for his statement that he had received a request from Na during his tenure as Minister of Justice to cancel the Fast Track prosecution.

Earlier, Na attacked Han during the People Power Party leader debate hosted by CBS, asking, "(Han) why did you fail to arrest former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung during your time as Minister of Justice?" In response, Han retorted, "Is it the Minister of Justice's duty to intervene in investigations to ensure warrants are issued?" and revealed, "Didn't Na ask me to cancel her Fast Track case prosecution?"

Na is currently on trial for charges related to obstructing the National Assembly's Fast Track process in 2019, when she was the floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), by occupying the National Assembly's legislative affairs office and meeting rooms to disrupt sessions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Han stated, "Yesterday's 'refusal to request cancellation of prosecution' remark was an unprepared example made during the explanation that, despite repeated questions about why the Minister of Justice did not arrest Lee Jae-myung, even the Minister cannot intervene in individual cases." He emphasized, "The Fast Track clash incident occurred as part of efforts to block malicious laws such as the Corruption Investigation Office Act, and it happened while standing up for our party. I want to clarify that I did not intend to belittle those who suffered due to the Fast Track clash incident."

Furthermore, he pledged, "If I become party leader, I will strengthen legal support for the trials related to the Fast Track clash incident and review and promote mutual agreements between ruling and opposition parties to prevent recurrence and mutual non-prosecution measures." He added, "I will work to ensure that those who devoted themselves to the party and those who courageously fought do not suffer any harm, with gratitude for their dedication."