"All Roads Weren't Roads at First"... Han Dong-hoon Indicates Willingness to Accept Ruling Party Emergency Committee Chairmanship (Comprehensive)

Avoids direct answer on offer of Han Dong-hoon as emergency committee chair
Responds to criticisms on lack of political experience and relationship with President Yoon
Kim Geon-hee special investigation law called a bad law... Should be considered within National Assembly procedures

Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, hinted at the possibility of accepting the position of Emergency Response Committee Chairperson for the People Power Party. In response to public criticism questioning his lack of political experience to take on the role, he expressed his determination to overcome the challenge by saying, "When many people walk together, it becomes a path."

On the 19th, Minister Han, who visited the National Assembly to attend the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, was directly asked by reporters whether he would accept the position of Emergency Response Committee Chairperson for the People Power Party. He replied, "I have not received any proposal," but also avoided a direct answer by saying, "I don't think it's appropriate for me to publicly comment on a specific party or the formation of an emergency committee."

However, regarding indirect questions, Minister Han suggested the possibility of acceptance by citing a general principle. When asked about criticism of his lack of political experience, he said, "Since this is a general question, I will share my general thoughts. None of the paths in the world were paths at first. When many people walk together, it becomes a path." Inside and outside the People Power Party, there has been ongoing speculation about Minister Han taking on the role of Emergency Response Committee Chairperson to lead the next year's general election. The biggest disqualifying factor pointed out by critics was his lack of political experience. Instead of addressing the criticism directly, he used the metaphor of a 'path' to imply the possibility of overcoming it.

The idea that no path is a path until someone walks it first, and that it becomes a path only when many walk it together, seems to reflect his willingness to embark on a new kind of politics together with others.

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is answering questions from the press as he enters the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding another perceived weakness?his close relationship with President Yoon Seok-yeol?he also indirectly refuted it by citing a general principle. Minister Han said, "Throughout my public service career, I have lived by one standard: pursuing the public good," adding, "In that process, I have never blindly followed anyone." He also stated, "I believe all public officials and politicians should cooperate for the people." This is a counterargument questioning what is wrong with cooperating with President Yoon as a public servant.

Minister Han also drew attention by continuing sharp attacks against the Democratic Party, which would be his main opponent if he accepts the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson position. In response to criticism that he is President Yoon’s 'avatar,' he said, "It seems the Democratic Party says this a lot, but since they blindly follow and absolutely obey Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, they seem to think everyone else does the same."

Regarding the controversy over First Lady Kim Geon-hee’s luxury handbag, he said, "I don’t understand why asking about this would be difficult," adding, "Since the Democratic Party is busy defending Lee, I assume I would be too. But isn’t this a hidden camera conspiracy? It was reported by Seoul’s Sound, and it will proceed according to law and principles."

On the issue of the special prosecutor law related to Mrs. Kim, which is seen as the first test for the People Power Party’s Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, he said, "It will come from the National Assembly, so it is not a matter for me to comment on," but added, "There should be no exceptions before the law. The public should see it that way too." He continued, "The special prosecutor law is a malicious law created with a specific timing to allow the Democratic Party to engage in propaganda and agitation in the next general election," and stated, "Such malicious laws infringe on the legitimate choice of the people and should be considered within the procedures of the National Assembly."

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