The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party are set to start discussions regarding the selection of witnesses for the parliamentary investigation into “allegations of political interference and fabricated prosecution during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration” on the 31st. The list of witnesses and sources is expected to feature Kim Man-bae, Nam Wook, and Jeong Yeong-hak—private business individuals associated with the Daejang-dong case—as well as former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae, connected to the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance issue.
Before the negotiations, the People Power Party reportedly added Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party and then-Minister of Justice, to the list of witnesses. However, since the Democratic Party has shown hesitation in accepting Han as a witness, there is speculation that he might not be included in the final list. Park Sung-jun, secretary of a special committee within the Democratic Party, mentioned in a previous radio interview, “It is suitable to call prosecutors who conducted the planned and fabricated investigations, along with those directly involved. If needed, we can address the issue by holding (Han) responsible later.”
Nevertheless, the Democratic Party is also questioning Han’s accountability as the former Minister of Justice. During the 30th National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session, Seo Young-kyo, the chair of the Democratic Party’s special committee, raised concerns about witness tampering by prosecutor Park Sang-yong in the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case, saying, “Park Sang-yong is a bad individual—a criminal and the mastermind behind the fabricated investigation. Who is above Park Sang-yong? Former Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon. And who is above him? President Yoon Suk-yeol, who orchestrated this plan to remove Lee Jae Myung, then the leader of the opposition party and a leading presidential candidate.”
In reply, Han countered Seo, “What is it that you’re afraid of, that you won’t call me as a witness even though I’m ready to step forward?” He continued, “According to your reasoning, shouldn’t I be the first person the Democratic Party calls for testimony? If you are certain about your assertion that I created this plan, bring me before the parliamentary inquiry and challenge me in front of everyone.”
Previously, on the 27th, Han said, “If the Democratic Party calls me as a witness and embarrasses me in front of the public, it will show the country whether President Lee Jae Myung is innocent or not. The Minister of Justice who directly approved the arrest warrant for Lee Jae Myung should be the first witness. If they were so frightened by me that they had to run away, they shouldn’t have started this investigation in the first place.”
On the 28th, Han added, “As the former Minister of Justice, I sought to carry out my responsibilities without shirking, standing up for ordinary citizens and preventing the Democratic Party’s misconduct. Nevertheless, the Democratic Party’s ongoing ‘parliamentary investigation into Lee Jae Myung’s indictment dismissal’ will not succeed, whether they call me or not. Still, wouldn’t it be preferable to try summoning me at least?”
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