'Handonghun Comment Manipulation Allegation' Assigned to Seoul Police Public Crime Investigation Unit

Charges Including Abuse of Authority and Obstruction of Rights Exercise

Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, is under investigation by the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency over allegations that he operated a public opinion manipulation team (comment team) during his tenure as Minister of Justice.

People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 8th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 8th, the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that the case involving accusations against Han, including abuse of authority, violation of the Information and Communications Network Act, and obstruction of business, has been assigned to them. The police plan to review the complaint and summon related individuals for questioning soon.

Han is suspected of running the comment team while serving as Minister of Justice, writing posts or distributing content to create a favorable public opinion toward himself.

The Innovation Party filed a complaint against Han with the National Police Agency’s National Investigation Headquarters (NIH) on the 22nd of last month. After receiving the complaint, the NIH transferred the case to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency the following day. The Democratic Party also filed a complaint against Han with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on the 29th of the same month, accusing him of violating the Public Official Election Act, abuse of authority, and obstruction of business. The CIO assigned the case to its Investigation Division 3 on the 5th.