"Act Like a Minister" vs "Is This Scolding?" Hadonghun and Park Beomgye Clash Loudly

Trial of Ihwa-young, Choi Eun-soon Detained, Heated Debate over Yangpyeong Expressway
Intense Tensions at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee Full Meeting on the 26th

On the 26th, Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, and Park Beom-gye, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and former Minister of Justice under the Moon Jae-in administration, engaged in a heated verbal exchange over the trial of Lee Hwa-young, former Deputy Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, and the detention of President Yoon Seok-yeol's mother-in-law, Choi Eun-soon.

During the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly that day, Representative Park questioned Minister Han about the ruling on Choi Eun-soon. While reading the verdict, Park asked, "Why are you wearing such a faint smile?" to which Minister Han replied, "Are you managing even my facial expressions?" sparking a tense exchange.

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is listening to questions from lawmakers at the Judiciary Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 26th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Park retorted, "Can it be managed just because I say so?" and asked for Minister Han's opinion on the verdict regarding Choi. Minister Han responded, "This matter proceeded within the judicial system, and it will continue to do so," adding, "Unlike the Democratic Party, there was no attempt to interfere with the judicial system to make the former deputy governor retract his testimony throughout the trial."

In response, Park said, "I asked about 'Choi,' but you answered about 'Lee,'" and criticized, "Please be more serious and act like the Minister of Justice." Minister Han replied, "I am doing so," and added, "Please do not shout."

Then Park pointed out, "It is as light as a feather. The Minister of Justice of a nation receives a flood of questions from many ruling and opposition judiciary committee members because of the authority and responsibility the minister holds, and the ministerial position was appointed to endure that."

Minister Han replied, "I am enduring it. That is why I am listening to your remarks like this, isn’t it?" However, he added, "I did not come here to be lectured by you."

Park shouted, "Why would I lecture Minister Han? I am not just Park Beom-gye as an individual," and Minister Han did not back down, saying, "You should not speak informally." Park repeated his criticism, "If you took it as informal speech, then it cannot be helped, but please answer more seriously."

The two also clashed over the controversy surrounding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway construction project. Park asked about the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's decision to scrap the project, "Do you think the explanations by Minister Won Hee-ryong and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport are convincing?" Minister Han retorted, "If the expressway suddenly changes in front of your house, should you be investigated, Representative Park?"

Minister Han further rebutted the Democratic Party's allegations of special favors to the family of First Lady Kim Keon-hee, stating, "For example, there must be a tip-off about some pressure being applied or a whistleblower's statement or similar clues to conduct an investigation."

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