South Korean Democrats seek answers on Han Dong-hoon's daughter's investigation
In short
South Korea's Democratic Party on October 10 demanded explanations over allegations that independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon intervened in an investigation involving his daughter while serving as justice minister. Party spokespeople said prosecutors rejected a police request for judicial assistance from the United States in November 2022.
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South Korea's Democratic Party on October 10 renewed demands for an explanation of whether independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon intervened in an investigation into allegations of false credentials involving his daughter while he was justice minister. The party questioned the handling of a police request for judicial assistance from the United States and called for the circumstances of its rejection to be clarified. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Senior party spokesperson Park Sung-jun (박성준) said police requested international judicial assistance in November 2022, when Han was justice minister, but prosecutors rejected it. Park questioned whether prosecutors acted on their own or whether Han exerted pressure. He called on Han and former Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office chief Song Kyung-ho (송경호), among others, to explain why the investigation stopped. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Party parliamentary spokesperson Lee Ju-hee (이주희) said prosecutors blocked the process and police declined to refer the case because of insufficient evidence. Lee argued that this raised doubts about whether the lack of charges Han cited reflected the outcome of an investigation or the obstruction of one, according to Yonhap and SBS News. [ 2 , 4 ]
Lee said international criminal judicial assistance must pass through the justice minister and asked Han to disclose whether he had reported a conflict of interest or sought recusal. The party also called on the Justice Ministry to explain why the police request was rejected. Party spokesperson Jo Gye-won (조계원) separately urged Han to clarify the extent of any involvement in the investigation, Yonhap reported. [ 2 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The party is seeking an explanation of why the request was rejected and whether Han had any involvement. It also wants disclosure of whether he reported a conflict of interest or requested recusal.
Key facts
- The Democratic Party demanded explanations on October 10 over alleged interference in the investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Han Dong-hoon is an independent lawmaker and was justice minister at the time discussed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Party spokespeople said police sought United States judicial assistance in November 2022 and prosecutors rejected the request. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The party asked Han to disclose whether he reported a conflict of interest or requested recusal. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Han intervened in the investigation or pressured prosecutors. The reports present the Democratic Party's allegations and questions, rather than an established finding of intervention.