Opposition Lawmaker: "'Arrogant' Han Dong-hoon Disregards National Assembly... Will Not Overlook"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Myunghwan] Members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea held a press conference on the 23rd, stating, "The so-called 'minister of a nation' Han Dong-hoon, the 'prosecutor,' is increasingly disregarding the National Assembly," and "We will no longer tolerate Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon's disregard for the National Assembly."

At the press conference, the Democratic Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee members said, "The indifferent 'like a peddler's whim' responses to lawmakers' inquiries, the provocative attitude filled with emotion forgetting the qualifications of a cabinet member, the disregard and contempt for lawmakers' questions can only be described as arrogant and presumptuous." They added, "Cabinet members have the responsibility to sincerely listen to lawmakers' questions and respond earnestly," emphasizing, "Minister Han's arrogance ultimately shows contempt for the people, closes his ears to the people's voices, and furthermore intimidates the public."

Assemblyman Ki Dong-min, the Democratic Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee secretary, explained the meaning of 'cannot tolerate' by saying, "Issues such as the enforcement decree of the 'Restoration of Prosecution's Original Investigation Rights' (Geomsuwonbok), the problem of disregarding the legislative branch in the National Assembly, and other grounds for decisive action are steadily accumulating." He further stated, "This is not only Minister Han's problem but also concerns ministers like Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who have illegal and unconstitutional ideas and are putting them into practice," adding, "We are consulting with the leadership from multiple angles."

Earlier, Minister Han clashed with opposition lawmakers at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's plenary session over the Ministry of Justice's amendment of the enforcement decree for 'Geomsuwonbok' (restoration of prosecution's original investigation rights). In particular, when Democratic Party lawmaker Choi Kang-wook asked, "Do you show such an attitude to the legislative body of the Republic of Korea?" Minister Han retorted, "I am also a cabinet member and a minister of a nation; is it appropriate to speak so harshly?"

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