Head of Corruption Investigation Office says "No Regrets" over Dinner Controversy on Yoon's Warrant Request Day

by Kim Hyunjeong1

Published 23 Jan.2025 21:29(KST)

Updated 24 Jan.2025 06:57(KST)

Oh Dong-woon Says, "If the Public Finds It Inappropriate, I Will Apologize"

Oh Dong-woon, head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI), stated on the 23rd that he has "no regrets" about having a dinner accompanied by alcohol on the same day he filed an arrest warrant against President Yoon Seok-yeol. However, he added, "If there are aspects that seem inappropriate to the public, I will apologize."

Odongwoon, the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, is responding to lawmakers' questions during an emergency inquiry on the illegal riot incident at the Seoul Western District Court held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 23rd. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

During an emergency question session at the National Assembly that day, when Rep. Cho Seung-hwan of the People Power Party asked, "Is it appropriate to have a gathering to encourage the investigation team on the day an arrest warrant was filed against the appointing authority?" Oh responded accordingly.

Oh said, "The dinner was mainly to encourage the staff," and added, "It is true that I poured a glass of wine each for our staff who usually cannot drink wine." He further explained, "During that time, we talked about the difficult situations, such as Deputy Chief Prosecutor Cha Jeong-hyun going under a bus during the execution of the arrest warrant two days earlier (January 15), and it was a moment to commend such efforts."

He said, "If there are aspects that seem inappropriate to the public, I will apologize," but also responded, "I have no regrets about encouraging our staff at that gathering and seeing the deputy chief encouraging the subordinates."

Earlier, on the previous day, some media outlets reported that the HOCI leadership held a drinking gathering on the 17th, the same day the arrest warrant against President Yoon was filed. In response, HOCI explained, "The HOCI leadership and some members of the investigation team had dinner for about an hour at a restaurant near HOCI," adding, "Only the chief and deputy chief drank the wine and beer they brought themselves; no investigation team members consumed alcohol." They also stated, "It was a gesture to encourage doing their best in executing the warrant," and clarified that the meal cost of about 400,000 won was paid from a specific business expense.

Public reactions were mixed. Some criticized, saying, "Did they drink to celebrate President Yoon's arrest?" and "Is it a party now that the president has been arrested?" pointing out the gathering was inappropriate. On the other hand, some defended HOCI, saying, "It's a fuss just because people who worked hard gathered for a modest dinner after a long time," and "Is it a problem to have a dinner with pork?" In front of HOCI, wreaths with supportive messages such as "Next time, eat beef, not pork" and "Don't be discouraged, HOCI" also appeared.