Han Donghoon Criticizes Ruling Bloc's Move to Abolish Breach of Trust: "If President Lee Were Charged With Theft, They Would Abolish Theft Too"

Government and Ruling Party Announce Plan to Abolish Breach of Trust under Criminal Act
Kim Byungki: "Rationalizing Economic Criminal Penalties and Civil Liability"
Han Donghoon: "Dismantling the System that Protects the People"

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, strongly objected to the government's and ruling party's plan to abolish the crime of breach of trust. On September 30, Han stated on his social media, "Today, under the leadership of Kim Byungki, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who joined the National Intelligence Service during the Chun Doohwan regime in 1987, the Democratic Party government announced its intention to abolish the crime of breach of trust, which is a core tool for protecting shareholders and ordinary citizens, claiming it to be a 'legacy of military dictatorship.'"

Hanh Donghun, former leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Han continued, "If the charge against President Lee were not breach of trust but theft or murder, the Democratic Party government would not hesitate to abolish theft or murder charges as well," adding, "They are dismantling the system that protects the people just for the sake of President Lee."

Kim Byungki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the 'Task Force on Rationalizing Economic Criminal and Civil Liability' meeting between the party and the government at the National Assembly on September 30, "The Democratic Party and the government have set the abolition of the crime of breach of trust as the basic direction," and added, "Rationalizing civil liability for economic crimes is a plan for the rights and welfare of the people and the livelihood economy."

Kim emphasized, "Excessive economic criminal penalties have not only burdened companies but have also criminalized normal business decisions by small business owners and self-employed individuals, thereby hindering business operations and investment. We will prepare practical improvement measures such as alternative legislation to ensure there are no gaps in the punishment of serious crimes. Going forward, we will pursue the rationalization of economic criminal penalties and civil liability together to bring about changes that the public can truly feel."

Koo Yoonchul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, stated, "While preparing measures to improve the crime of breach of trust, which has been identified as a factor constraining corporate management activities, we will also establish institutional mechanisms to ensure that well-intentioned businesspeople are not harmed. We will reduce criminal penalties but strengthen financial accountability. Minor violations of obligations will be converted into fines, and issues that can be corrected through administrative sanctions will be addressed with administrative measures first."

On the 30th, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Kim Byung-gi, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Koo Yoon-chul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, were talking during the Task Force on Rationalization of Economic Criminal Civil Liability party-government consultation. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

In response, Kim Doeup, policy chief of the People Power Party, stated on September 30, "The abolition of the crime of breach of trust under the Criminal Act is clearly a law to save President Lee Jaemyung." Kim argued, "The Democratic Party must distinguish whether it intends to abolish the crime of breach of trust under the Criminal Act or the special breach of trust under the Commercial Act," and criticized, "This is a measure to allow President Lee, who is on trial for breach of trust in the Daejang-dong case, to receive a 'not guilty' verdict."

President Lee is accused of breach of trust for allegedly granting undue benefits to the so-called Daejang-dong group and causing 489.5 billion won in damages to Seongnam Urban Development Corporation during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. However, as he was elected president while the first trial was ongoing, the trial has been suspended.