Han Dong-hoon calls travel ban extension 'criminal,' demands special prosecutor explain

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon on Monday criticized the secondary omnibus special prosecutor's office for extending a travel ban imposed on him, calling the move "criminal."

Han shared details of his travel ban on Facebook, demanding answers from what he called the "Democratic Party's political special prosecutor." "I ask: how long will you keep up this travel ban on me with no reason given?" he wrote.

He added that the ban appeared designed to interfere with his election campaign. "The election is over, yet they offer no explanation, take no action, and simply keep extending the travel ban," he said.

The special prosecutor's office initially banned Han from leaving the country from April 13 to May 12 in connection with allegations of presidential office interference in a Suwon District Prosecutors' Office investigation. It then requested the Ministry of Justice extend the ban by one month just before that deadline, and extended it again in June. Han remains barred from traveling abroad until July 12.

Han noted that his membership on the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee means he frequently travels abroad on official business. "Democratic Party political special prosecutor — am I allowed to leave the country?" he asked.