Handonghun and Ijeongjae Two-Shot "Planned Celebrity Marketing" Sparks Outrage from the Opposition Party

"Photos Released to the Media Seem a Bit Strange" Suspicion
"Would a Minister Leisurely Meet Celebrity Friends?"

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon dining with actor Lee Jung-jae, his high school classmate, has become a hot topic, with some opposition figures raising suspicions that the scene might have been staged.

"The exposure of the dining scene with Lee seems like Minister Han's 'celebrity marketing'..." Opposition raises questions

Actor Lee Jung-jae and Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon met at a restaurant in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The two are alumni of Seoul Hyundai High School, class of the 5th graduating class.
[Photo by Online Community Capture]

On the 27th, Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, appeared on YTN's 'News & Issue' and said, "Minister Han, who tends to get easily provoked when such things are mentioned, might attack me, but I think this is unlikely to be a coincidence."

He added, "Not long ago, photos of Minister Han's wife, lawyer Jin Eun-jung, volunteering were widely released to the media, and even within the People Power Party, there were talks that this might have been planned, but she denied it."

He continued, "They are said to be classmates from the 5th graduating class of Hyundai High School, so surely they must have agreed to have a meal together at the restaurant," but also claimed, "However, it was released to the media so naturally. That part is a bit strange."

He then speculated, "Criticism related to Minister Han probably reached those around him who handle political planning. So, it seems they promoted the scene of him dining with the famous actor Lee Jung-jae, whom I also like."

On the same day, Seo Yong-joo, senior deputy spokesperson of the same party, said on MBN's 'Pressroom Live,' "(Minister Han) is openly saying, 'I am preparing for the general election. I will run in the election.' This is celebrity marketing. Of course, they are classmates from Hyundai High School, but would the Minister of Justice leisurely post pictures with a celebrity friend on SNS? That is something to do after resigning from the ministerial position."

Additionally, netizens supporting the Democratic Party also poured criticism toward Minister Han and Lee on various online communities.

Actor Lee Jung-jae and Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon met at a restaurant in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The two are alumni of Seoul Hyundai High School, class of the 5th graduating class.
[Photo by Online Community Capture]

Earlier, Minister Han and Lee reportedly met on the afternoon of the 26th at a restaurant in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and dined together for about two hours.

This became widely known after a netizen who saw the two leaving the restaurant took photos and posted them on an online community.

Minister Han and Lee are said to be classmates born in 1973 who graduated together from Hyundai High School located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Lee’s partner, Im Se-ryeong, Vice Chairman of Daesang Holdings, also linked as so-called 'Han Dong-hoon theme stock'

Actor Lee Jung-jae and Lim Se-ryeong, Vice Chairwoman of the Daesang Group, known as a long-term couple, recently attended an event together in Los Angeles, USA.
[Photo by Gucci]

Meanwhile, after the photo was released, Daesang Holdings and its preferred shares both hit the upper limit in stock price. On the 27th, Daesang Holdings closed at 9,020 KRW on the KOSPI, up 29.97% from the previous trading day, and its preferred shares, Daesang Holdings Preferred, rose to the price limit (29.99%) closing at 9,970 KRW.

This is interpreted as the Daesang Group stocks being grouped as so-called 'Han Dong-hoon theme stocks' among investors, related to the fact that Lee is known to be a long-time partner of Im Se-ryeong, Vice Chairman of Daesang Holdings.

With the general election scheduled for April next year and rumors of 'Han Dong-hoon running' circulating, public interest is focused. Especially recently, Minister Han has been visiting various regions, listening to voices from the field related to legal policies, and increasing direct communication with the public, showing an extensive approach to public contact. As a result, some stocks have been grouped as theme stocks, causing their prices to rise.

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