'Filed complaint with Yeongdeungpo police over false information'

'How can someone who can't take questions become justice minister?'

Independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon answers reporters' questions at the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall on Thursday. (Yonhap)
Independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon answers reporters' questions at the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall on Thursday. (Yonhap)

Independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon said Thursday he had filed a criminal complaint against Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok with police.

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly that afternoon, Han said, "I filed the complaint against Kim with the Yeongdeungpo Police Station today." Asked about the charge, he said it was for spreading false information, adding, "I never received any documents from prosecutors, nor did I cooperate with prosecutors in any way."

On the source of material exposing key allegations against Justice Minister candidate Kim Seung-won, Han said, "The key question is whether this disclosure serves the public interest or not," and noted that lawmakers are one of several key channels for receiving public-interest whistleblowing. He added, "I am confident about the source, and since I have no reason to hide behind parliamentary immunity, I keep posting about it on Facebook."

Asked about Kim writing "OUT" next to his name in a notebook on Wednesday, and about calls within the Democratic Party for his expulsion or suspension, Han said the move appeared to be "a declaration of intent to move toward dictatorship."

He continued, "There is a saying that dawn comes even if you wring a rooster's neck," and asked, "Are they saying they will expel me for disclosing damaging facts about the Democratic Party's own nominee for justice minister?"

Han again called on President Lee Jae Myung to withdraw Kim's nomination. "President Lee still has a chance," he said. "If today passes, President Lee will also become an accomplice."

Asked about People Power Party Youth Supreme Council member Woo Jae-joon's public proposal that Han rejoin the People Power Party and join the confirmation hearing committee for Kim, Han said, "I think we need to fight together." He added, "There may be various opinions, but I will not dwell on each one. Now is the time to fight and win."

He continued, "Just because circumstances are not all set up in my favor, does that mean I should just stay still?" He added, "I am in politics for the good of the country. That is the path I will take."

Han, who was set to take part in a National Assembly floor interpellation session on diplomacy, unification and security that day, said he had applied for the political and social affairs session but was not given a slot, so he prepared for the diplomacy and unification session instead. He said he would raise questions about the deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz and various issues at the Ministry of National Defense.


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