Han: "'Oppa' Is the Essence of Kim Seungwon Allegations... Never Received Materials from Prosecution"

"Prosecution Made the Wrong Decision to Suspend Kim Seungwon’s Indictment"

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon on September 9 emphasized, regarding the suspicions surrounding Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, "The use of the term 'oppa' (older brother) speaks to the essence of this case." He also stated, "I have never received any material from the prosecution, nor have I cooperated with them in any way."

Meeting with reporters at the National Assembly that afternoon, Assemblyman Han addressed claims that highlighting the word "oppa" in relation to the allegations of Kim's lobbying involving the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety could distract from the core issue, countering, "In this matter, the 'oppa' aspect is essential."

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is responding to reporters' questions regarding the suspicions surrounding Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, at the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

Han further stated, "This is a case in which a public official (the nominee Kim), referred to as 'oppa,' carried out illegal lobbying on behalf of his younger sister (Ms. Yang), who acted as a broker. It was precisely because he was her 'oppa' that he did the illegal lobbying." He continued, "If Kim Seung-won, as an oppa, did not want to win over the favor of his broker younger sister, would he have gone this far?"

Assemblyman Han also questioned, "Did nominee Kim ever visit Ms. Yang the broker's home?" and "Did he ever take a photo together alone at her place?" He added, "If the relationship was purely professional as he claims, there would have been no reason to visit a female broker's home and take a photo together. I am pointing out that he is lying."

In response to criticism from the ruling party and others regarding the source of recordings and other materials he released, Han remarked, "Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, asserted purely from speculation that I had received materials from the prosecution," adding that this assertion is false. Han also said he plans to file a complaint against Kim for alleged dissemination of false information regarding these suspicions.

Regarding the prosecution’s decision to suspend indictment in relation to the allegations against nominee Kim, Han assessed, "That was a wrong decision." He continued, "I believe the prosecution did not make the appropriate judgment, and the reasons why the special prosecutor decided to suspend the indictment must also be thoroughly investigated, with people held to account."

He further criticized, "The biggest problem with the Democratic Party is not that they deny the allegations or illegal lobbying or close 'oppa'-'dongsaeng' relationships, but that they insist everything is true, yet claim it was regular legislative activity and in the public interest."

He added, "Didn't they say they would call me as a witness at the confirmation hearing? I said I would take the stand as a witness under oath and testify, fully accepting the risks of perjury." He then emphasized, "I will not hide behind parliamentary immunity, but instead will take an oath and appear as a formal witness. I ask them once again to reconsider."

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