Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Song Yeong-gil [Yonhap]
Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Song Yeong-gil [Yonhap]

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Song Yeong-gil called on independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon to abandon what he described as "backward politics worthy of a private investigator or broker," as Han continued to press allegations that Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won had lobbied for approval of a new drug clinical trial.

Song made the remarks Monday on his Facebook page, saying Han had "earned notoriety as the very symbol of political prosecution" during his time as a special prosecutor and as justice minister — citing allegations of evidence fabrication, evidence concealment and the disclosure of suspects' case information. "Now that he is a National Assembly member, he repeats the same behavior," Song said.

Song said Han was engaging in "backward prosecutorial politics" by selectively leaking to the media what appeared to be case investigation materials obtained from prosecutors during his tenure as justice minister, in order to politically damage fellow lawmakers.

Earlier Monday, Han posted on his own Facebook page claiming that what he called the "oppa poison-lobbying gate" was in fact a "Democratic Party oppa gate," and published what he said were related text message exchanges.

Song pushed back, saying numerous ruling and opposition politicians had been named in what he described as "boastful statements from someone I have never met," and accused Han of selectively releasing one side of a private conversation "in an attempt to defame me." Song also demanded that Han explain how he had obtained the specific investigative materials.


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