Where Is the End of the 'Bad Blood' Between Park Beom-gye and Han Dong-hoon? Clash Between Former and Current Ministers of Justice

"Why are you wearing such a faint smile?" (Park Beom-gye, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker)

"Are you managing even my facial expressions?" (Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice)

Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, and Park Beom-gye, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, clashed again on the 26th at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. During the questioning, Park first criticized Minister Han's attitude, and when Han did not accept this, it escalated into an emotional confrontation. Park criticized Han as "being as light as a feather," and Han responded, "I did not come here to be lectured by you, lawmaker," exchanging heated remarks.

This is not the first clash between Minister Han and Lawmaker Park. Their tension began when Han was nominated as Minister of Justice. Since then, whenever Han attended full committee meetings or government questioning sessions, the two have clashed repeatedly.

Han and Park have a connection as senior and junior colleagues in the legal community and as former and current Ministers of Justice. Park was the last Minister of Justice under the Moon Jae-in administration, and Han is the first Minister of Justice under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Their respective positions make it inherently difficult to maintain a good relationship.

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon (left), Park Beom-gye, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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However, recent clashes between Minister Han and Lawmaker Park in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee have been criticized as going beyond mere differences of opinion on current issues. Former Minister Yoon Yeo-jun said in a CBS radio interview, "Both of them studied law, yet they exchange such personal attacks and gossip-like remarks. It undermines not only their personal authority but also the authority of the committee," adding, "As a citizen, I find it truly regrettable. When they exchange vulgar words, what do you think the public will think?"

The conflict between Minister Han and Lawmaker Park also extended into partisan disputes. Hong Seok-jun, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on YTN News & Issue, "While Minister Han's demeanor may not be viewed positively, the cause was provoked first by Park Beom-gye asking why he was smiling," adding, "Perhaps because they are legal colleagues and Han is a successor minister, there is a sense of familiarity, but such behavior is not appropriate in the committee setting."

On the other hand, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi, who appeared on the same broadcast, said, "Minister Han is clearly performing his political role of opposing the Democratic Party well, but he seems to be failing in his role as an administrator," adding, "Even President Yoon Suk-yeol did not make such mocking or unnecessary remarks when he was Prosecutor General appearing before the National Assembly. Doing so now will only backfire on him."

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