"Yoon's Henchman" vs. "It's Really Noisy"... Fierce War of Words Between Han Donghoon and Cho Kuk

Debate Over the "Led the Cho Kuk Investigation" Narrative
Han Donghoon: "Not a Political Prosecutor"
Leaves Room for By-Election Run

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon has publicly criticized Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, calling him "truly noisy." This was in response to Cho's criticism the previous day, when he shared Han's interview with Kyunghyang Shinmun. Han stated, "If it is not true that, on the day Cho Kuk's wife, Chung Kyungshim, was first indicted, then-President Moon Jae-in met with then-Prosecutor General Yoon Sukyeol at the Blue House to discuss the indictment issue, then sue me."

Handonghun, Former Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

On December 17, Han Donghoon posted on social media, "Cho Kuk, truly noisy. This is someone who invoked the right to remain silent hundreds of times in court," directly targeting Cho's social media post. In his previous interview with Kyunghyang Shinmun, Han stated that even during the so-called "Cho Kuk incident" in 2019, the Moon Jae-in administration did not abandon then-Prosecutor General Yoon Sukyeol, and that the conflict between the Moon administration and the prosecution intensified around the time when Cho's wife, Chung Kyungshim, was first indicted.

In response, Cho Kuk shared the interview on social media, criticizing Han for "speaking as if untrue stories were facts," and claimed that Han was a "lackey" of former President Yoon Sukyeol. In response to Cho's criticism, Han also refuted the view that he had led the investigation into Cho Kuk, stating, "That is not true." He explained, "The investigation into Cho Kuk was handled by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and I only served as an advisor to the Prosecutor General in my capacity as Head of the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Division." Addressing accusations of being a "political prosecutor," Han responded, "If you investigate politicians, does that make you a political prosecutor?" and insisted, "I have never conducted an investigation to protect an administration." Regarding the possibility of running in next year's by-elections, he said, "I have not made a decision yet," but added, "That does not mean I intend to quit politics."

Former Minister of Employment and Labor Moonsoo Kim and former People Power Party leader Donghoon Han. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Meanwhile, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo publicly expressed his support for Han Donghoon. On this day, Kim attended the "Eohoe" meeting, a gathering of former and current People Power Party district association heads in the Seoul metropolitan area, and described Han as "a truly precious asset to our party." Referring to the current situation in which the party leadership is proceeding with disciplinary action against Han and other pro-Han Donghoon figures, Kim emphasized the need for unity within the party, stating, "Even if he goes elsewhere, we must bring him back."