"Where Do You Butt In, That Attitude" vs "Did You Say 'You'?"... Democratic Party·Han Dong-hoon 'Words'

"If You Have That Attitude" vs "I Am Not Like That"
"You Are the Perpetrator and I Am the Victim" vs "Did You Say 'You'?"
"A Very Simple Question" vs "Too Simple to Be a Question"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is responding to questions from lawmakers at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 22nd.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Gun-chan] On the 22nd, Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, appeared at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee and engaged in a fierce confrontation with opposition party lawmakers. He clashed on every point, even quibbling over words with Choi Kang-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Minister Han and Representative Choi had a direct confrontation during the morning questioning. Representative Choi responded to the People Power Party's claim questioning his attendance at the meeting by saying, "(Minister Han) claims to be the victim himself, but isn't there a widespread view that I am more of a victim?" During this remark, Minister Han retorted toward Representative Choi, "You have been indicted," adding, "So that means there is a conflict of interest."

In response, Representative Choi pointed at Minister Han, saying, "Where do you get off... making personal remarks now," and urged, "Change that attitude." However, Minister Han replied, "This situation is problematic, which is why the issue of conflict of interest is being raised."

The clash between the two continued during the afternoon questioning. When Representative Choi pointed out the prosecution's mistakes in the past Inhyukdang case and said, "Acknowledge what is clearly known," Minister Han countered, "The prosecution is not responsible for that now," and said, "Just speak."

When Representative Choi criticized his attitude by saying, "If you keep that kind of attitude...," Minister Han also stood his ground, saying, "I am not like that."

Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook is deep in thought during the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

When Minister Han was continuously asked to state his position regarding the Inhyukdang case, he said, "I think it is strange that the committee member, who is the perpetrator in my criminal case, is asking me such questions."

In response, Representative Choi said, "If that is your logic, then you are the perpetrator and I am the victim," to which Minister Han asked back, "You said 'you'? Did you say 'you'?" When Representative Choi asked, "Are you going to tolerate that attitude?" Minister Han also responded, "Are you going to tolerate this question?"

Then, when Representative Choi asked, "Do you show that kind of attitude to the legislative body of the Republic of Korea?" Minister Han retorted, "I am also a minister of a country as a member of the State Council, so do you speak so rudely?"

On this day, Minister Han also had a heated debate with Democratic Party members over the enforcement decree of 'Geomsuwonbok' (restoration of prosecution's investigative authority).

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye criticized the enforcement decree of Geomsuwonbok, saying, "They made an amendment that actually expands investigative authority using an enforcement decree that restricts (the prosecution's investigative authority)," calling it a "trick." He added, "It is the worst example of administrative organization legalism," and criticized it as "unconstitutional and illegal."

Minister Han countered, "If it were a real trick, wouldn't disguised party withdrawal or splitting sessions be tricks?"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is seated attending the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Tan-hee pointed out, "It is a fundamental principle of the rule of law that enforcement decrees can be made within the space opened by the law. In 2020, direct prosecution by prosecutors was already prohibited outside the six major crimes, and through the 2022 law, this reduction in direct investigation scope was further intensified."

Minister Han responded, "Don't beat around the bush; you need to explain specifically what is wrong," and said, "Don't say things like 'it's a trick.'"

Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook asked, "According to the principle of separation of powers, even the president cannot infringe on the legislative power of the National Assembly. Minister, can you exceed the president's authority? A very simple question," to which Minister Han replied, "It's so simple that it doesn't even seem like a question."

When Representative Kwon raised a point of order criticizing his attitude in response, Minister Han said, "I meant that I could not accept that as a question," and added, "If you were offended, I sincerely apologize."

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