Handongsoo, Head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, Hints at Inspection of Han Myeongsuk Case on SNS... Controversy Over 'Inappropriate' Conduct

Handongsoo, Head of the Inspection Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Han Dong-su, head of the Inspection Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (age 53, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 24), sparked controversy on the 13th by posting remarks on his Facebook that seemed to hint at the possibility of an inspection regarding the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case.

Just one day after Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol ordered the expansion of a dedicated investigation team to thoroughly investigate the related complaint case, the head of the Inspection Department mentioned the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department’s authority for ‘inspection’ or ‘investigation’ on his social media, drawing criticism as ‘inappropriate conduct.’

In particular, the investigation team at the time in 2010 strongly opposed, stating, “Since the disciplinary statute of limitations has already expired, the Inspection Department has no authority to intervene.”

In a post on Facebook that morning, Han, the head of the Inspection Department, stated, “The Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department holds investigative authority in addition to disciplinary duties (including disciplinary actions such as caution, warning, and personnel measures when the disciplinary statute of limitations has been completed) and administrative audits. If criminal suspicion is recognized during the investigation of misconduct by prosecutors’ office officials, the case can be converted into an investigation, allowing for various warrant requests and prosecution.”

He emphasized that even in cases where the disciplinary statute of limitations has been completed, there is room for the Inspection Department to intervene, and that the department holds investigative authority beyond mere inspection.

He continued, “We have a considerable number of prosecutors and investigators, and Inspection Division 3 uses the 11th-floor investigation room formerly used by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Central Investigation Department. The head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department is appointed by the President from an external candidate who is not a prosecutor, following a public recruitment and screening process led by the Ministry of Justice, and obtains the status of a prosecutor with treatment equivalent to a chief prosecutor,” he wrote.

Han also expressed his personal conviction regarding the fact-finding of the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case.

He wrote, “The former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook case has already become a matter of public attention, making a fact-finding investigation inevitable. To prevent politicization that delays or derails the fact-finding, it seems necessary for the relevant departments to clearly distinguish between the process (method) and the outcome (disposition direction) of the case, avoid prejudging the outcome, and focus discussions and handling solely on the process.”

He added, “The outcome (disposition direction) may include all or part of retrial, institutional improvements (including measures to prevent and control human rights violations in investigations, the relationship between the Human Rights Department and the Inspection Department, and guarantees of the independence of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department), disciplinary actions (including personnel measures), criminal charges, or no charges. The process (method) involves one or multiple entities with the will and ability to uncover the truth, producing investigation results that can earn public trust.”

He thus presented not only his thoughts on the fact-finding process but also the possible outcomes.

Han also expressed hope that Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol would view the former Prime Minister’s complaint case and the Channel A case without personal bias.

He wrote, “Public officials must ensure that no citizen suffers injustice and must not interfere with public opinion. As the head of the Inspection Department, various facts and records related to the Channel A case and the former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook complaint case are being gathered. I want to believe that both the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General are viewing these cases ‘without personal bias.’”

Finally, Han concluded his post by saying, “It seems the time is approaching like a rising tide for the prosecution to be reborn not as ‘their prosecution’ but as ‘the people's prosecution.’ I earnestly pray and hope that humble and honest prosecutors we meet on the front lines will work with conviction and dignity, gaining love and trust from the public.”

The complaint case related to the former Prime Minister is currently assigned to the Human Rights Supervisor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and is under investigation. The ‘media collusion’ allegations between a Channel A reporter and a sitting chief prosecutor, which surfaced through an MBC report at the end of March, are also currently under investigation at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

Some analysts interpret Han’s post as indirectly expressing dissent over entrusting these cases to frontline prosecutors’ offices rather than the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department.

Han’s Facebook post received several supportive comments such as “We support you” and “I trust and believe in your sincerity, Chief.”

On the other hand, critical comments like “How can the head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, who is not the Prosecutor General, direct investigations via SNS? Is he aiming to become the Prosecutor General himself? This violates neutrality,” were also seen.

The former Prime Minister’s investigation team is reportedly strongly opposing Han’s suggestion that “records are being gathered,” implying that he could become a subject of inspection.

Since the disciplinary statute of limitations has already passed and the Inspection Department has no authority, publicly disclosing confidential inspection matters and implying objective inspection reasons is seen as damaging the investigation team’s reputation. It is reported that the investigation team believes Han should rather be disciplined.

Meanwhile, Han, who hails from Seosan, Chungnam, graduated from Daejeon Daeshin High School and Seoul National University’s Law Department, passed the 34th Judicial Examination in 1992. After serving as a military legal officer, he began his judicial career at Jeonju District Court in 1998.

He later served as a judge at Daejeon District Court (2002), Patent Court (2005), Supreme Court Judicial Researcher (2008), head of Hongseong Branch of Daejeon District Court (2010), and chief judge at Incheon District Court (2012), after which he opened a law practice. Having worked as a lawyer at law firms including Yulchon, he was appointed in October 2019 as head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, a position equivalent to chief prosecutor.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.