Han Dong-hoon Appointed as Yoon Administration's First Minister of Justice... "The Right Person to Establish Modernization of Legal Administration" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol on the 13th nominated Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute (27th class, Chief Prosecutor), as the first Minister of Justice in the new administration.

At 2 p.m. on the same day, Yoon held a press conference at the transition office in Tongui-dong, Seoul, announcing Han's nomination as Minister of Justice, explaining, "Han has built expertise over more than 20 years in key positions within the Ministry of Justice and prosecution, specializing in investigation and trial, prosecutorial systems, and legal administration. I judged him to be the right person to modernize legal administration and establish a judicial system that meets global standards."

When reporters asked why Chief Prosecutor Han was a surprise pick for Minister of Justice, Yoon responded, "Han is the best candidate to handle legal administration through his experience not only in investigation, trial, and law enforcement but also in planning work within the prosecution. This is not a radical appointment," he dismissed.

Han, a leading figure in special investigations within the prosecution, investigated cases related to the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations during his tenure as the 3rd Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, as well as the abuse of judicial administrative power case during Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae’s era. Furthermore, Yoon is known to have described Han to his close aides as "a prosecutor who wouldn't listen even if I asked," earning him a reputation as a 'toughest of the tough.'

Han is a close aide of Yoon within the prosecution. When Yoon became Prosecutor General, Han was promoted to Chief Prosecutor and served as head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

During his time as head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division, Han was demoted four times since the investigation of Cho Kuk conducted by the Special Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Recently, regarding the Channel A case, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office cleared him of charges.

When asked whether he would exercise investigative command authority over specific cases as Minister of Justice, Han replied, "I have experienced the harm caused by the exercise of investigative command authority during the tenures of Ministers Park Beom-gye and Choo Mi-ae. Even as minister, I will not exercise investigative command authority over specific cases."

Regarding criticism that Han, who is from the 27th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, seven classes junior to Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo of the 20th class, was nominated as Minister of Justice, Han emphasized, "(I am) almost 50 years old and have about 20 years of public service. The seniority system is a minor issue from the public's perspective. Based on my experience, I will do my best with courage and dedication."

On the Democratic Party's push for the "complete prosecution reform" (검수완박) bill, he said, "Complete prosecution reform is unprecedentedly opposed by all reasonable legal professionals, the media, and academia. This is the first time I have seen such unanimous opposition in a public forum. Even the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy opposes it. If this bill passes, the public will suffer. Attempts to pass this bill must be stopped. I will consider measures gradually," he added. Regarding the permanent special prosecutor system, he said, "It is a matter of what authority will be exercised. I will look into it further."

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