Handong Hoon to Cho Guk on Daejang-dong Case: "Tried to Sound Like a Professor, Only Revealed Ignorance"

Cho Guk: "Daejang-dong is not subject to state confiscation or collection"
Handong Hoon: "Nonsense... Have you even read the ruling?"
"How many decades has he gotten by just bluffing without knowing?"

Cho Guk, former emergency committee chairman of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, and Handong Hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, have clashed head-on over the Daejang-dong case. When Cho argued, in an attempt not to sound like a law professor, that "the criminal proceeds from Daejang-dong cannot be confiscated or collected by the state," Han hit back strongly, saying, "You only reveal your ignorance."

Cho Guk: "I tried not to sound like a professor" vs Handong Hoon: "Only showing ignorance"

Hanjong Hoon, former leader of the People Power Party (left), and Cho Guk, former emergency committee chairman of the Cho Guk Innovation Party

On November 11, Cho wrote on his Facebook page regarding the Daejang-dong case, "The victim in this case is not the state, but Seongnam City, more specifically, Seongnam Urban Development Corporation," adding, "Confiscation or collection is only possible under the Act on the Recovery of Corrupt Assets if Seongnam City is unable to file a civil lawsuit." He continued, "Seongnam City has already filed a civil lawsuit and, following the prosecution's decision not to appeal, has publicly announced that it will increase the amount of damages claimed," and added, "While the prosecution's decision not to appeal may have a negative impact on the civil lawsuit, it is clear that this is a case in which the state cannot confiscate or collect the proceeds."

In response, Handong Hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, immediately refuted Cho's claims. Through Facebook, he criticized, "Cho Guk said he would show his former professor side, but contrary to his intention, he only reveals his ignorance," and added, "For those who knew Professor Cho Guk, his legal arguments would only provoke laughter." Han pointed out, "Cho insists that confiscation or collection is only possible if Seongnam City is unable to file a civil lawsuit, even while citing Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Recovery of Corrupt Assets," and added, "It's possible that Cho either hasn't read the court ruling or, if he has, didn't understand it." He continued, "How many decades has he managed to get by, from his days as a professor until now, by pretending to know things he actually doesn't?"

Han also raised doubts as to whether Cho had properly read the ruling, noting that the necessity for state collection was already specified in the first trial verdict. Citing a portion of the first trial decision in the Daejang-dong case, Han countered, "The court found that Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, the victim, falls under the category of 'cases where recovery of damages is deemed extremely difficult,' as stipulated in Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Recovery of Corrupt Assets, even if a civil lawsuit was filed." He added, "Former Professor Cho, don't run away-answer whether you actually read the ruling and whether you will continue to insist on your point."

Meanwhile, on the previous day, Cho held a press conference at the National Assembly and officially announced his candidacy for the leadership election of the Cho Guk Innovation Party. The party plans to elect its leadership through a vote of delegates and party members at its national convention on November 23.