Handonghun Begins Preparing for Confirmation Hearing... "Geomsu Wanbak Is an Unjustified Midnight Escape"

Minister of Justice nominee Han Dong-hoon is responding to reporters' questions as he enters the confirmation hearing office set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office on the 15th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, has officially begun preparations for his confirmation hearing amid intense public interest. He criticized the 'Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights' bill, which the Democratic Party of Korea is pushing for legislation, as an "unjustified midnight escape," and emphasized that he will "exercise personnel authority and the power to activate a permanent special prosecutor fairly."

On the morning of the 15th at 10 a.m., Han arrived for the first time at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office building, where the confirmation hearing preparation office has been set up. He said, "I feel a great sense of responsibility being nominated as Minister of Justice during a time when the people are suffering greatly," and added, "I will prepare well for the hearing so that the public can trust and be comforted by me based on common sense and fairness."

He then raised his criticism of the Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights bill, stating, "If the bill passes, the only ones who will suffer are the powerless citizens," and added, "The public will be very curious about what has happened over the past five years that has led to such an unjustified midnight escape."

Regarding concerns about bias in prosecutorial appointments favoring prosecutors from the Yoon Seok-yeol faction and special investigation units, Han responded, "I will make equitable personnel decisions based solely on the people's perspective, focusing on ability and the demonstrated commitment to fairness," and said, "I will strive to make appointments that anyone can accept."

On the issue of whether to activate the permanent special prosecutor system, he said, "The permanent special prosecutor system is already one of the duties assigned to the Minister of Justice," and added, "Discussing it now with a specific case or direction in mind could cause unnecessary misunderstandings. However, I promise to handle the work fairly."

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