At the Legislative and Judiciary Committee Audit, Kim Eui-gyeom Raises 'Drinking Party Suspicion'... Han Dong-hoon Says "Audit Based on Rumors Not Even Worthy of a Jirashi"

Kim Eui-gyeom raises allegations of drinking party hospitality involving President Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim & Chang lawyers
Han Dong-hoon retorts, "I will confess everything, what will you confess, Congressman?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] At the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit held on the 24th, Kim Ui-gyeom, a member of the Democratic Party, and Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon clashed over allegations related to a drinking party.

Due to the morning audit disruption caused by the Democratic Party's emergency caucus and a protest visit to the Yongsan Presidential Office, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit, held around 3 p.m., began with a heated exchange between ruling and opposition party members over the prosecution's search of the Democratic Research Institute and the investigation into election funds. Following this, the formal Q&A session started, and Kim, who was first to question, asked Minister Han, "Do you remember attending a drinking party on July 19th?"

Minister Han responded, "That is a baseless statement."

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is attending the National Assembly's audit on the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Government Legislation, and the Board of Audit and Inspection held on the 24th, responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In response, Kim revealed a recording containing testimony suggesting that President Yoon Seok-yeol and Minister Han had a drinking gathering with Kim & Chang lawyers at a cafe near Cheongdam-dong.

The recording captured a conversation between a reporter and a man presumed to be Lee Se-chang, president of the Korea Freedom Federation. In the recording, when the reporter asked, "About two months ago on July 20th, there was a gathering with Minister Han Dong-hoon, President Yoon Seok-yeol, and Kim & Chang lawyers at a nearby cafe in the Galleria area of Cheongdam-dong. Could you tell us the purpose of that meeting?" the man replied, "I cannot speak about what happened between the president and Han Dong-hoon at that gathering." When the reporter asked again, "Was it a meeting to encourage each other to do well?" the man answered, "Yes, that's right."

Kim stated, "This is content that will be reported tonight by the citizen media outlet The Tamza," adding, "The Tamza is the media company that Minister Han reported for stalking."

In another part of the recording played by Kim, the man said, "Han Dong-hoon and Yoon Seok-yeol all came. They asked for a performance. They said they would be very moved if we sang songs they know. Yoon Seok-yeol sang 'Dongbaek Agassi' (Camellia Lady)," among other remarks.

When the recording stopped here, Minister Han asked, "What did I do? Why am I not mentioned afterward?" causing laughter to break out briefly in the audit hall.

Minister Han strongly rebutted, saying, "If I had been at such a drinking party or even within 1 km of it, I would admit it. I feel ashamed that people who stalk me have colluded to insult a cabinet member in this way."

He added, "You know I cannot drink alcohol, right? I avoid going to mandatory gatherings and company dinners. During my time as a prosecutor, I lived by keeping distance from strong people, so I deliberately avoided social dinners to avoid conflicts. Are you seriously saying that I sang and performed 'Dongbaek Agassi' there? Are you confident enough to publicly insult the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Korea like this?"

He emphasized, "I have never even crossed paths with this president of the Korea Freedom Federation, nor have I ever been to that place."

He then challenged Kim, saying, "I will admit everything. What will you admit, member?"

Minister Han protested strongly, "Is it appropriate to insult a cabinet member with something not even worthy of a rumor at a national audit? Is this the basis for your claims, member? Do you conduct national administration with this level of evidence? Is this how you start the first question of a national audit? Take responsibility. I will take responsibility too."

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