Na Kyung-won "Han Dong-hoon wielded the knife well during Moon administration"... Han Dong-hoon "Request to cancel prosecution was rightly refused"

Han Dong-hoon Faces Intense Criticism Over Fast-Track Prosecution Dismissal Controversy
South Korea "Prosecution Dismissal Cannot Be Decided by Minister of Justice" Rebuttal
South Korea "Do You Know Prosecutor General Was President Yoon Then?"... South Korea "Don't Involve the President"

During the People Power Party's presidential primary television debate, the controversy over the request to 'withdraw the prosecution on the fast-track (expedited bill) case' became a key issue. Candidate Na Kyung-won criticized candidate Han Dong-hoon, who disclosed the request, saying, "I wonder if he even has the qualifications to be a party member, let alone the party leader."

The People Power Party held a debate for party leader candidates at the KBS studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. In the earlier debate, candidate Na, who had been named as the target of the request, launched a counterattack against candidate Han. Referring to the fact that some party members, including lawmakers on trial over the fast-track case, opposed Han's disclosure of the request, Na asked, "Haven't your thoughts changed?" Han responded, "It is not something the Minister of Justice can decide."

Earlier, during a broadcast debate on CBS the previous morning, candidate Han revealed during a debate with candidate Na, "Didn't you ask me to withdraw the prosecution on your fast-track case? I said I could not do that," adding, "The Minister of Justice cannot intervene in specific cases in that manner." This issue later became a hot topic within the party, and Han apologized via social media, stating, "I did not intend to belittle those suffering from the fast-track clash incident," and "It was an unprepared remark. I apologize for my lack of prudence."

In the debate that day, candidate Na also pointed out that candidate Han "still has not escaped the mindset from his days as a prosecutor." Regarding Han's rebuttal that he misunderstood the law, Na mentioned that prosecutors handle prosecution withdrawal but added, "The Minister of Justice has general authority over investigation supervision and, in specific cases, exercises investigative supervision through the Prosecutor General."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Later, candidate Na criticized candidate Han for having achieved results in anti-corruption investigations during the Moon Jae-in administration but showing insufficient performance in investigations such as that of former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung under the current government. Na said, "Candidate Han did not properly do what he should have done as Minister of Justice." In this process, Na stated, "He was very active as a prosecutor under the Moon Jae-in government," adding, "The knife was sharp during the Moon administration, but under our government, no suspicious cases have been resolved. Have you ever instructed a proper investigation into the West Sea public official incident or the forced repatriation incident?" Han responded, "Of course I have," but added, "(Such remarks) could be misunderstood by the Democratic Party," and "The Minister of Justice could be accused of violating political neutrality by having a direction on specific cases."

Regarding Na's repeated attacks on the prosecution withdrawal issue, candidate Han retorted, "Are you aware that the Prosecutor General who indicted the case is President Yoon Suk-yeol?" To this, Na responded, "Do not drag the president into this."

Candidate Won Hee-ryong criticized this issue by referring to a 'sense of comradeship.' Won said, "The minister is not just a public official but also a member of the State Council who shares the president's state philosophy and political aspects of governance and should make efforts in this regard," adding, "But the Minister of Justice was just a manager handling cases. Is that really a comrade?"

Candidate Han countered, "You misunderstand the duties of the Minister of Justice." However, referring to his apology on social media regarding this issue, he said, "I should have considered the feelings of party comrades suffering from the fast-track case, but I was not prudent." Nevertheless, he expressed his conviction, saying, "As Minister of Justice, it is right to refuse when such a request is made."