Impact of Han Dong-hoon’s Appointment as Minister of Justice… Mixed Expectations and Concerns Within the Ministry and Prosecution

"Expectations for 'Liberation from Political Pressure' Amid Concerns Over 'Investigation First' Principle
Prosecutor Personnel Evaluation on Trial... Attention on Key Positions Filled by 'Yoon Seok-yeol Line'"

Minister of Justice nominee Han Dong-hoon is answering questions from the press at the 2nd Cabinet announcement held at the transition team's briefing room in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Transition Team Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] Han Dong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Judicial Research and Training Institute (49, 27th Judicial Research and Training Institute class), has stirred up the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution since being nominated as the first Minister of Justice candidate under the new government.

On the 14th, evaluations of candidate Han were divided inside and outside the prosecution. Those who worked with him highly praised his investigative skills and planning ability, while others argued that since he is specialized in investigations, he is not suitable for a position that requires overseeing the broader picture of justice and administration.

There is a prevailing analysis that if candidate Han becomes Minister of Justice, he will be freed from external pressures such as political interference related to investigations. Deputy Chief Prosecutor A said, "He was a prosecutor who withstood external pressures unrelated to criminal investigations well," adding, "He is the type who puts everything on the line for investigations, so external factors that hinder investigations will disappear."

On the other hand, concerns have been raised that the prosecution might align with Han’s tendencies and focus excessively on uncovering criminal charges, falling into a ‘prosecution-first’ mindset. Lawyer B, a former prosecutor, said, "There were criticisms that (candidate Han) conducted excessive investigations during the judicial farming scandal and Samsung Group investigations," and predicted, "Although his investigations are almost perfect, there are parts where he crosses the line, and if he becomes minister, there will be no one to point this out, so prosecution investigations are likely to proceed according to his approach."

There are also criticisms that candidate Han may be weak in justice and administration. It is said that he mainly handled special investigations such as corporate corruption and has expertise only in investigations. However, some respond that since Chief Prosecutor Han mainly conducted economic crime investigations but also worked in departments responsible for drafting policies, this will not be a major issue.

Chief Prosecutor C said, "(Candidate Han) worked in the Ministry of Justice’s Corporate Legal Affairs Division during his time as a junior prosecutor, handling National Assembly Judiciary Committee responses and legal amendments," adding, "He also gained diverse experience working as a senior administrative officer in the Blue House’s Office of Civil Affairs under the Lee Myung-bak administration and in the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s Policy Division, where he worked on prosecution system reforms and personnel affairs."

How candidate Han will exercise the prosecution personnel authority, one of the powers of the Minister of Justice, is also a point of interest. The key issues are whether personnel classified as pro-government will be appointed and whether special prosecutors known as the ‘Yoon Seok-yeol line’ will occupy key positions. In fact, after candidate Han’s appointment, this will be the first test to see if he can gain the trust of the members as a minister rather than as a prosecutor.

Within the Ministry of Justice and prosecution, there is speculation that candidate Han will not repeat the precedent of 2019, when after President-elect Yoon was appointed Prosecutor General, he was criticized for appointing many from the Yoon Seok-yeol line to key positions in the first personnel reshuffle.

Deputy Chief Prosecutor D said, "(Candidate Han) will try not to repeat the same personnel decisions as in 2019," and predicted, "However, he is expected to focus on restoring the personnel system based on ability and performance, which has collapsed, and to restore traditional prosecution personnel practices. In addition, his political neutrality will be closely watched."

On the front lines, there are concerns that candidate Han’s nomination amid the ‘Complete Removal of Prosecution’s Investigation Rights’ (Geomsu Wanbak) phase might instead provoke the Democratic Party and become a self-defeating move, and criticisms that he is again a ‘Yoon core associate (Yunhaekgwan)’ appointment. However, it is also reported that there is coexistence of expectations that candidate Han can block the Democratic Party’s push for Geomsu Wanbak.

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