'Ministry of Justice Report Omission Suspicion' Han Dong-su, Head of Inspection Department, "Maintaining Political Neutrality and Handling Duties Fairly"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Han Dong-su (55, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 24), head of the Inspection Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, who was accused of omitting some details when reporting to the Ministry of Justice after investigating the allegations of 'Prosecutor General Lee Seong-yoon's indictment leak,' has directly stated that he is "maintaining political neutrality and handling duties fairly."

On the 17th, Han posted on his social media service (SNS) account, "The experiences I have faced in the media and within the prosecution were not merely personal issues but hindered normal inspection activities and resulted in an inability to perform my duties."

He pointed out, "Conservative media labeled me as a pro-government and pro-Roh Moo-hyun figure at key moments such as the suspension of the Channel A case inspection, the halt of the investigation into the judge surveillance documents, the disapproval of starting the investigation into former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook's perjury obstruction case, and my reappointment as head of the Inspection Department. This is a form of stigmatization and cultural violence."

Regarding the controversy over bias against him, Han stated, "I served as a judge for 16 years under the Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, and Park Geun-hye administrations, and during my roles as election trial judge and election commission chairman, I was never politically questioned by either the ruling or opposition parties. Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk also stated that he has no acquaintance with me."

He also claimed about the 'judge surveillance documents,' which were the main grounds for his suspension request during the disciplinary process when Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, was Prosecutor General: "During the Ministry of Justice disciplinary procedure, I had the opportunity to be investigated and submitted the documents based on my independent judgment with a wholehearted spirit, and there was no prior coordination with the Ministry of Justice."

He added, "If I am called as a witness in the disciplinary trial appeal, I am willing to testify about the essence of various cases I have personally experienced and recorded, as well as about the political neutrality of the prosecution."

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, while investigating the indictment leak allegations against Prosecutor General Lee, discovered a Word file editing the indictment on the PC of a figure known as a key aide to Prosecutor General Lee. However, under Han's orders, it is alleged that this was not reported to the Ministry of Justice. The civic group 'Action Alliance for Upholding the Rule of Law' has filed a complaint against Han for dereliction of duty and abuse of authority.

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