South Korea's Democratic Party, Han Dong-hoon clash over DMZ investigation
In short
South Korea's Democratic Party attacked independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon on October 4 over his claim that the government delayed an on-site investigation into a North Korean landmine explosion on the South Korean side of the DMZ, asking how he knew the operation schedule. Han dismissed the question and told the party to reveal who was responsible for the investigation being carried out after Chuseok, and to answer about “Roh's money”. Korea Economic Daily also reported that Han has been raising suspicions about Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, and that pro-Han lawmakers are reviving talk of his return to the People Power Party.
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South Korea's Democratic Party and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon exchanged criticism on October 4 over the handling of an on-site investigation into a North Korean landmine explosion on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone, Chosun Ilbo and Newsis reported. The Democratic Party targeted Han, who had claimed the government put off the on-site investigation, asking how he knew the operation schedule, according to the two outlets. [ 1 , 3 ]
Han rejected the question, saying the public would not be curious about it, and told the party to reveal who was responsible for the on-site investigation being carried out after Chuseok, Chosun Ilbo reported. Newsis reported that Han told the Democratic Party not to change the subject and to answer about “Roh's money”, while Korea Economic Daily reported that he said in a war of words with the ruling camp that the receipt of money by Roh was “a fact”. The documents do not set out the substance of those allegations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Korea Economic Daily also reported that Han has been raising suspicions about Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won day after day, and that talk of his returning to the People Power Party is resurfacing among pro-Han lawmakers, with the party leadership and mainstream lawmakers showing discomfort at the idea. The documents record no decision or timetable on a possible return. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The clash pits the ruling Democratic Party against an independent lawmaker over both a security incident in the DMZ and the nomination of a justice minister, two live political disputes in South Korea. Korea Economic Daily's reporting that a pro-Han faction inside the People Power Party is discussing his return suggests the episode could affect party politics, but the documents record no decision or official response.
Key facts
- The Democratic Party and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon exchanged criticism on October 4 over an on-site investigation into a North Korean landmine explosion on the South Korean side of the DMZ. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The Democratic Party asked Han how he knew the operation schedule. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Han had claimed the government put off the on-site investigation, Chosun Ilbo reported. [ 1 ]
- Han said the public would not be curious about that, and told the party to reveal who was responsible for the on-site investigation being carried out after Chuseok. [ 1 ]
- Newsis reported Han told the Democratic Party not to change the subject and to answer about “Roh's money”. [ 3 ]
- Korea Economic Daily reported Han said the receipt of money by Roh was “a fact”, in a war of words with the ruling camp. [ 2 ]
- Korea Economic Daily reported Han is raising suspicions about Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, and that pro-Han lawmakers are reviving talk of his return to the People Power Party, which party leaders and mainstream lawmakers view with discomfort. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon and the Democratic Party publicly clashed on October 4 over the handling of an on-site investigation into a North Korean landmine explosion in the DMZ. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Han Dong-hoon is an independent lawmaker. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Democratic Party questioned how Han knew the operation schedule. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the government actually delayed the on-site investigation into the DMZ landmine explosion. The claim is attributed to Han Dong-hoon in one outlet's summary; the documents carry no government response or confirmation.
- What happened in the landmine explosion itself, including its date, exact location and any casualties. The documents refer to the incident only in passing, without details.
- What Han Dong-hoon's allegations about Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and about “Roh's money” consist of. The documents say suspicions were raised but do not set out the allegations; the “Roh” references appear only in headlines, from two different outlets.
- Whether Han Dong-hoon will return to the People Power Party. Reported by one outlet as talk within the party; no decision or confirmation is given.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Chosun Ilbo reports the Democratic Party's criticism of Han Dong-hoon and his response over the DMZ on-site investigation. [ 1 ]
- Korea Economic Daily reports Han's war of words with the ruling camp and party talk of his return to the People Power Party. [ 2 ]
- Newsis reports the exchange over the DMZ investigation and Han's demand that the party answer about “Roh's money”. [ 3 ]