Democratic Party: "Strong Regret Over Dismissal of Han Ducksoo's Arrest Warrant... Special Prosecutor Must Investigate Further"

Park Suhyeon: "Sending the Wrong Signal," Strong Criticism
Yoon Jaegwan: "Serious Damage to Judicial Trust"
Growing Calls for Institutional Reforms, Including a Dedicated Court for Insurrection Cases

The Democratic Party of Korea has expressed regret toward the court regarding the dismissal of the arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who is facing charges including aiding and abetting insurrection and perjury. The party also urged the special prosecutor to conduct a thorough investigation.

On August 27, Park Suhyeon, Chief Spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing that the court’s decision to dismiss the arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han was “an incomprehensible decision for which we express our regret.” Park emphasized, “We cannot understand the court’s judgment at all,” and added, “The Democratic Party strongly expresses its regret over the dismissal of the arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo.”

He pointed out, “There are as many as six charges against former Prime Minister Han,” and stated, “None of them are minor, including aiding and abetting insurrection, participation in martial law, falsification of official documents, and perjury.” He continued, “Furthermore, there are even suspicions that former Prime Minister Han actively destroyed evidence, such as ordering the disposal of false martial law declaration documents,” and criticized, “How are the people supposed to interpret the dismissal of the arrest warrant for a co-conspirator in insurrection, who is not only accused of aiding and abetting but also actively participating in martial law?”

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Chief Spokesperson Park said, “The court’s dismissal of the arrest warrant can only be seen as a decision that sends a clearly wrong signal to both the forces behind the insurrection and the public.” He continued, “We urge the special prosecutor to go beyond the dismissed warrant and thoroughly and rigorously investigate all suspicions surrounding former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo.”

Yoon Jaegwan, Chief Spokesperson for the Innovation Party for the Nation, also commented on the court’s decision, stating, “This incident reminds us once again that the insurrection is not yet over,” and added, “The Innovation Party, together with the people, cannot contain our shock and anger.”

Spokesperson Yoon argued, “Given that repeated false explanations to the public have been exposed, the reasons for dismissal-‘there is room for dispute regarding key facts and the suspect’s series of actions’ and ‘there are no concerns about destruction of evidence or flight’-are simply unacceptable.” He rebutted, “If it is this difficult for the law to judge a co-conspirator in insurrection who has deceived the public for so long with brazen and arrogant lies, then who can ever be held accountable in the future?”

He further stated, “This decision is seriously undermining public trust in the judiciary,” and pointed out, “There will inevitably be growing demands for institutional improvements, such as the establishment of a dedicated court for insurrection cases.” He added, “The special prosecutor must not give up, but instead promptly conduct a supplementary investigation and reapply for an arrest warrant.”

Court: "Han Ducksoo, Legal Dispute Exists and No Risk of Flight"

Previously, Jeong Jaeuk, Chief Judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, dismissed the arrest warrant after completing the pre-arrest interrogation (warrant review) for former Prime Minister Han, stating, “There is room for legal dispute regarding key facts and the suspect’s series of actions.”

Chief Judge Jeong explained, “Based on the evidence secured so far, the progress of the investigation, and the suspect’s current status, it is difficult to see a risk of destruction of evidence beyond the exercise of the right to defense.” He continued, “Considering the suspect’s career, age, residence and family relations, attendance during the investigation, and attitude in statements, it is also difficult to see a risk of flight.”

Earlier, the special investigation team on insurrection (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok) requested an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han on August 24 on six charges: aiding and abetting the leaders of insurrection, perjury, falsification of official documents, use of falsified official documents, damage to public documents, and violation of the Act on the Management of Presidential Records.

Former Prime Minister Han, as the Deputy Chair of the State Council and the head of the nation’s primary government body, is accused of failing to prevent and instead abetting the illegal proclamation of emergency martial law by former President Yoon last year. He is also charged with proposing the convening of the State Council before the martial law declaration to give it a semblance of procedural legality, and with drafting and disposing of a subsequent proclamation to address legal flaws in the initial martial law declaration.

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