The police have closed the case without charges regarding allegations that former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon operated a public opinion-shaping team (commonly referred to as a "comment team") during his tenure as Minister of Justice.
According to the complainant and the police on October 20, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit decided not to refer the case for prosecution on October 2, citing insufficient evidence to support the allegations of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights by former leader Han.
The "comment team" allegation centered on suspicions that Han maintained a team for managing and shaping online public opinion during his time as Minister of Justice.
The police acknowledged that, between May 2022 and December 2023, comments were posted online either supporting Han or rebutting negative content related to him.
However, the police explained that they did not receive any meaningful materials from those who raised the allegations, and that there was no clear evidence showing Han actually operated a comment team or that such an organized team existed. This was the basis for the decision not to refer the case for prosecution.
The police also determined that there was no evidence to support allegations that Han posted online comments using other people's portal accounts, making it difficult to recognize any criminal suspicion.
Previously, Kim Hanmae, executive director of the Citizens' Action for Judicial Justice, filed a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in July last year regarding these allegations. The case was later transferred to the police. It is reported that Kim plans to file an objection to the decision.
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