Jeon Hae-cheol: "Lee Yong-gu Incident, Inappropriate to Discuss as a Candidate"

"Special Price Law Not Applied, 'Many Controversies During Law Revision'"
"Need Mechanisms to Prevent Police Power Abuse" Regarding Power Institution Reform
"No Harm to Election Fairness"... "Caution Needed for Social Distancing Level 3"

Minister of the Interior and Safety nominee Jeon Hae-cheol is attending the confirmation hearing held at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Administration and Security Committee on the 22nd, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Jeon Hae-cheol, nominee for Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, avoided direct comments on the police handling of the assault case involving Vice Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu and a taxi driver on the 22nd. Jeon stated that the controversial Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Special Act) "was highly debated even at the time of its amendment."

At the confirmation hearing of the National Assembly's Administrative and Security Committee on the same day, regarding the police's decision not to apply the 'driver assault' charge under the Special Act to the assault case involving Vice Minister Lee and the taxi driver, but to treat it as a simple assault case, Jeon said, "I understand that a complaint was filed, but as a nominee for Minister of the Interior and Safety, it is not appropriate for me to comment on the subsequent process."

Regarding the Special Act, Jeon explained, "When it was discussed in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee subcommittee in June 2015, there was a lot of controversy," adding, "I remember there was much debate about what should be added to the term 'while driving.' It was discussed, but there was a lot of controversy."

On questions about reforming power institutions, Jeon emphasized the need for measures to prevent abuse of police authority, such as actualizing the Police Commission and the Autonomous Police Commission. He said, "I believe measures and devices are necessary to prevent abuse of authority within the police as well," and added, "Currently, the (National) Police Commission remains only a deliberative body, and the Autonomous Police Commission is weak, so it is necessary to prepare countermeasures such as actualization plans."

Regarding whether it is appropriate to transfer the counterintelligence investigation authority previously held by the National Intelligence Service to the police, Jeon stated, "I regret that it could not be handled through bipartisan agreement. However, more than 90% of the content has been agreed upon." He added, "The National Intelligence Service still retains the role of collecting and analyzing counterintelligence information. When information is collected and sent, the police receive it and only conduct investigations at the investigative stage. We have established measures such as creating investigative authority, a three-year grace period for the transfer of investigative authority, and other preparations."

On concerns about election neutrality, Jeon said, "Even if appointed as Minister of the Interior and Safety, I will not do anything to undermine election fairness," adding, "Previous ministers of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety have never compromised fairness in any election, and I will follow that precedent and make my best efforts for election neutrality and fair elections."

Regarding the escalation to level 3 of social distancing for COVID-19 prevention, Jeon stated, "We need to proceed cautiously," and added, "We must find ways to minimize the various economic difficulties and impacts caused by level 3."

On suspicions that the number of cases handled by the law firm Haemaru, where he worked before serving as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, has increased, Jeon said, "I have never been involved in Haemaru cases while serving as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs."

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