Han Donghoon, Barred from Kim Seungwon's Hearing, Says "The Public Has Already Made Its Judgment"

Real-Time Scrutiny Continues Outside Parliamentary Hearings

On September 15, independent lawmaker Han Donghoon continued his scrutiny of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seungwon outside the National Assembly, even as Kim’s confirmation hearing was taking place. After being excluded from participating in the hearing, Han monitored Kim’s responses in real time via his personal social media accounts and through press conferences.

Yonhap News Agency

Speaking to reporters after attending the ‘Pan-Civic Societies Coalition Election Commission Reform Proposal’ forum at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building earlier that day, Han said, “For the past 15 days, I have thoroughly conducted an external hearing on Kim Seungwon together with the public,” adding, “The judgement by the public is essentially already over.”

He continued, “If Kim Seungwon becomes Justice Minister, it will change the course of history. If an administration appoints someone like him, three years will feel far too long,” and asserted, “The moment Kim Seungwon is appointed as the ‘Minister of the Justice Department’ under the Lee Jaemyung administration, that government will face its downfall.”

Han also criticized Kim via social media, attacking Kim’s explanation that, since he was an arts graduate, he could not have known in advance about the efficacy of a certain drug, in relation to the Genencell CEO’s submission of false documents to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Han wrote, “If you were an arts major, does that mean it’s acceptable to lobby your brother to get a toxic drug approved? It’s even worse to have blindly lobbied as your sister’s broker instructed you, claiming ignorance because you studied arts.”

Responding to the ruling party’s focus during the hearing on the sources of Han’s exposé materials, Han said, “I am at the National Assembly right now. Instead of cowardly talking behind my back, why not call me directly?” He emphasized, “I have never revealed the identities of the whistleblowers and I never will.”

Meanwhile, Han’s criticism of Minseok Kim, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also continued. Han hit back after Kim had attacked him over Han’s past allegations regarding a political funds scandal and suspicions about the ‘5·18 Eve Room Salon Drinking Party’ by stating, “I thought he might be different from Yoon Sukyeol, but he turns out to be nothing but a half brother cut from the same cloth.” Han retorted, “Who threatened you with a knife to force you to take 900 million won?”

He further intensified his criticism with remarks such as, “He even brought up the Saecheonyeon NHK room salon story—what exactly is false about it?”; “If you can’t bite, don’t bark”; “Wasn’t he the one who persecuted and vowed to destroy former President Roh Moohyun? Isn’t that why people call him ‘Kim Min-sae’?”; and, “Is that even worth calling an argument or is it just Makgeolli talk?”

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