Is There Evidence for the 'Han Dong-hoon Drinking Party Suspicion'?…Criticism of "Kim Eui-gyeom's Tactical Mistake" Arises Within the Democratic Party

Handonghun demands "Opposition and Kim Uigyeom to offer responsible apology"
Criticism arises even from opposition: "Questions must be based on evidence"

Kim Ui-gyeom, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, demanded an apology regarding the so-called 'late-night drinking party' allegations raised by Kim Eui-gyeom, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Even within the Democratic Party, there are calls to refrain from making baseless allegations.

On the 27th, Minister Han issued a statement saying, "As a 'victim of false information dissemination,' I demand a sincere apology and responsible measures from the Democratic Party." He also stated that he would hold Kim, who raised the allegations, and 'The Tam-sa,' which broadcasted the content on YouTube, legally accountable both civilly and criminally.

On the 24th, during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit, Representative Kim alleged that Minister Han recently held a late-night drinking party at a high-end bar in Cheongdam-dong with President Yoon Seok-yeol and about 30 lawyers from major law firms. Kim played a recording at the audit, claiming it was a tip-off. The recording included claims that President Yoon and Minister Han drank and sang together.

In response, Minister Han strongly denied, saying, "If I had been there, or even in a similar place, or within 1 km nearby, I would stake my ministerial position, so the representative should do the same," and added, "You insulted a cabinet member at the National Assembly audit with something not even worthy of a rumor."

Representative Kim stood firm, calling it a legitimate allegation. In a statement, Kim said, "There are vivid eyewitness accounts of the drinking party, and the person identified as the organizer repeatedly admitted the facts," adding, "If true, it would constitute a massive government scandal. Verification was necessary."

However, Lee Se-chang, former acting president of the Federation of Korean Freedom Unions, who was identified as the organizer, held a press conference denying the allegations entirely, stating he never arranged such a drinking party. Representative Kim also only cited the recording containing claims of the drinking party as evidence and has not provided additional proof.

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The Democratic Party leadership supported Representative Kim, saying that if the allegations were true, it would amount to a 'second government scandal,' but some within the party criticized Kim for being premature. Representative Jung Sung-ho, in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' indirectly criticized Kim, saying, "When questioning ministers or cabinet members in the National Assembly, one must verify facts accurately and have legal grounds for the inquiry." Representative Cho Eung-cheon appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "Representative Kim suffered a strategic failure and was outmaneuvered by Minister Han."

Representative Kim had previously raised several allegations related to Minister Han. On the 18th of last month, at the 'Ministry of Justice - Anyang City Business Agreement Ceremony,' Kim claimed that Minister Han deliberately staged a handshake with Representative Lee Jae-jung of the Democratic Party, conscious of the cameras, but this was proven false. Reviewing the footage shows that Representative Lee first extended his hand to Minister Han, who then greeted him.

Kim also alleged that Minister Han's July trip to the United States was to investigate suspicions of Democratic Party figures, including Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, being involved in North Korean cryptocurrency-related issues. However, this was criticized for bringing an issue unfavorable to the opposition to the surface.

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