Democrats "Complete Prosecution Reform" vs. Han·Transition Team "Midnight Escape·Prosecutorial Independence"... Clash at Confirmation Hearing

Minister of Justice nominee Han Dong-hoon is responding to reporters' questions as he enters the confirmation hearing office set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office on the 15th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

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[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Democratic Party of Korea has identified Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, as the top candidate to be ousted, setting the stage for a fierce clash during the parliamentary confirmation hearing. Following the Presidential Transition Committee's opposition to the Democratic Party's push for the "complete prosecution reform" (Geomsu Wanbak) on the grounds of "prosecutorial independence," Han strongly criticized the reform as a "midnight escape act," prompting some within the Democratic Party to express intentions to boycott the hearing.

According to political circles on the 17th, voices calling for a boycott of Han's confirmation hearing have emerged within the Democratic Party. Min Hyung-bae, head of the Democratic Party's confirmation hearing preparation task force (TF), recently stated in a radio interview, "It seems inappropriate to even recommend him as a nominee to the National Assembly," adding, "We are considering whether to reject the confirmation hearing altogether."

President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol explained that Han was nominated because he is the right person to modernize legal administration and establish a judicial system aligned with global standards. However, from the Democratic Party's perspective, which has had a strained relationship with Han since the investigation of Cho Kuk, this nomination is unwelcome. Moreover, there is concern that Han's appointment could render the recently proposed complete prosecution reform bills (amendments to the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act) meaningless.

Not only the People Power Party and the prosecution but also progressive organizations such as the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) and the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy have criticized the content of the complete prosecution reform bills as insufficient, warning that the public will suffer immediate harm. On the 15th, Han, while arriving at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, stated, "If the legislation is enacted, lifelong criminals will effectively be able to commit crimes without punishment. If this bill passes, the people will suffer," and questioned, "What happened over the past five years to warrant such a baseless midnight escape act?" expressing his stance against the reform.

The Minister of Justice also holds the authority to establish a permanent special prosecutor, which means that even if the complete prosecution reform is realized, investigations into major crimes that attract public attention can proceed through the permanent special prosecutor system. This is also a burden for the Democratic Party. Han expressed his willingness by saying, "The permanent special prosecutor is one of the duties assigned to the Minister of Justice," indicating he would not hesitate to carry it out.

Separately from the consideration of a hearing boycott, a thorough background check is also underway. Upon submission of the confirmation hearing materials, the ruling party raised concerns about Han's assets. According to the official gazette, Han declared assets worth 3.937 billion KRW this year. The deposit for the Sampung Apartment, held under his and his spouse's names, increased from 1.22 billion KRW to 1.75 billion KRW within a year from the previous tenant. This has led to criticism that it may violate the 2020 amended Lease Protection Act, which limits rent increases to less than 5% of the previous contract amount.

In response, Han's side argued that the deposit had been frozen for seven years, and the tenant initially notified contract termination but later withdrew the termination, leading to a new contract at market rates. Since this was not a contract renewal exercise, the rent increase cap does not apply.

Issues related to Samsung were also raised. Han investigated allegations of bribery involving Samsung Group during the 2017 Park Young-soo special prosecutor team’s probe into the Park Geun-hye state corruption scandal. He also led the investigation into accounting fraud at Samsung Biologics while serving as the 3rd Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and head of the Anti-Corruption and Strong Crime Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. However, concerns were raised because the original owner of the Tower Palace, where Han resides, was Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDI. Currently, the registered owner is Kim, a Goldman Sachs lawyer.

Han's side explained, "The contract was made through a licensed real estate agent following standard procedures," adding, "When my wife met the landlord at the real estate agent's office to sign the contract, including the contract amount, she learned for the first time that he was a university senior."

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