Han Donghoon Criticizes Democratic Party's Special Prosecutor Bill for Chief Justice, Says "Reminiscent of Chun Doohwan Military Regime"

"If a Guilty Verdict Is Given to Lee Jaemyung,
Now Even the Chief Justice Faces a Retaliatory Special Prosecutor"

Handong Hoon, the People Power Party presidential primary candidate, is delivering his concession speech at the 5th party convention held on the 3rd at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to select the candidate for the 21st presidential election. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon criticized the Democratic Party of Korea's proposal for a special prosecutor bill targeting Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, calling it the beginning of "Lee Jaemyung's dictatorship."

On May 8, Han Donghoon stated on his Facebook page that the Democratic Party was introducing the special prosecutor bill as a party platform today and would process it at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee tomorrow.

Han Donghoon said, "This special prosecutor bill is clearly retaliatory against a court ruling. Whenever a trial date is set for Lee Jaemyung, they mobilize all their power to twist arms, and since Article 84 of the Constitution may not be interpreted to their liking, they are even unconstitutionally amending the law to prevent Lee Jaemyung's trial. Is that not enough?" He added, "Now, we are facing a situation where, if a guilty verdict is handed down in Lee Jaemyung's trial, even the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would be subject to a retaliatory special prosecutor investigation."

He continued, "Such a situation existed in our country in the past. During the Chun Doohwan military regime, Supreme Court Justice Yang Byungho was detained for three days and retaliated against simply because he did not rule as they wished," adding, "Events reminiscent of the era of military dictatorship are being 'remade' before our eyes."

In conclusion, he stated, "Even today, Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party say, 'If you are so envious, let the People Power Party become president next time.' In other words, 'If you don't like it, succeed.' We must prevent a dangerous world. We, and I, will continue to do so."