Police Summon Complainant in 'Han Dong-hoon Comment Team Allegation' Investigation

Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, is under full-scale investigation by the police over allegations that he operated a 'public opinion formation team' (comment team) during his tenure as Minister of Justice.

People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon is seen leaving after attending the fourth study meeting for first-term members of the People Power Party titled "Local Era, Sustainable Growth Engine of the Republic of Korea," held on the morning of the 26th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit summoned Kim Han-me, the permanent representative of the Citizens' Action for Judicial Justice (Sasaehang), the accuser in this case, to the Metropolitan Investigation Unit building in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 26th to investigate the details of the accusation.

Before appearing at the police station, Representative Kim told reporters, "Leader Han Dong-hoon operated a comment team and manipulated public opinion with the purpose of realizing his political ambitions and creating favorable public sentiment," adding, "Former Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province, who was sentenced to prison for the 'Druking comment scandal,' was once considered a presidential contender but lost his governorship and was imprisoned after his two-year prison sentence was finalized. Leader Han should also be held strictly accountable for the crime of obstruction of business by deception."

Sasaehang filed a complaint against Leader Han in July, accusing him of abuse of authority, obstruction of the exercise of rights, and obstruction of business by deception with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. This case has now been transferred to the police. The police plan to merge this case with another complaint filed by the Party for Innovation of the Republic of Korea, which involves the same allegations, for joint investigation.

The 'public opinion formation team' allegations surfaced on July 9 when Jang Ye-chan, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, claimed on a radio show that "since Leader Han was Minister of Justice, there was a separate team managing public opinion and creating favorable online sentiment." In response, Leader Han denied the allegations, stating, "I have never paid anyone to hire or operate such a team."