Handonghun: "Silence on Complete Prosecution Reform Is a Matter of Conscience"… Counterattack on President Moon's Criticism

by Kim Daehyun

Published 26 Apr.2022 10:44(KST)

Handonghun, Minister of Justice Nominee / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, rebutted President Moon Jae-in's criticism regarding his opposition to 'Geomsu Wanbak (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority)' by saying, "It is a matter of professional ethics and conscience for a nominee for Minister of Justice, who is responsible for the field, to hold back and remain silent."

According to the legal community on the 26th, Han stated, "We are on the verge of passing constitutional-level legislation that will clearly cause great harm to the public due to the collapse of the crime response system, without even a single public hearing for the people."

In a conversation with former JTBC anchor Sohn Seok-hee broadcast the previous evening, President Moon said regarding Han's recent statement that 'the Geomsu Wanbak bill must be stopped,' "It is inappropriate to use expressions like 'must be stopped'."

President Moon also pointed out that Han's expression itself is dangerous, saying, "One can say they do not support the ongoing separation of investigative authority between the police and prosecution or that more thorough procedures are needed."

Since being nominated as Minister of Justice, Han has consistently expressed opposition to Geomsu Wanbak. On the 15th, upon his first arrival at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office personnel hearing preparation office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, he criticized the Democratic Party by saying, "Only criminals should fear a prosecution that properly does its job," and "The public must be very curious about what happened over the past five years to cause such an unjustified midnight escape."