Han Dong-hoon fires back at Kim Seung-won, ruling party: 'Is a public-interest complaint now a criminal one?'

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon on Friday kept up his sharp criticism of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and the Democratic Party of Korea over what has been dubbed the "Genencel complaint controversy."

Han wrote on his Facebook page that "the real grievances the Lee Jae Myung administration and the Democratic Party should be addressing are those of Genencel victims — not the grievances of broker A, the younger sister of a hostess bar owner." His remarks came as a direct rebuttal after the Democratic Party characterized the lobbying allegations against Kim as a "public-interest complaint."

Han also turned his fire on the party directly, saying lawmaker Song Yeong-gil had called Kim's alleged intervention on behalf of the hostess bar owner's sister — who sought approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety — a "good complaint," while harshly attacking Han for criticizing it. "I ask Rep. Song: what kind of glamorous life has he led, that he considers this a good complaint and the duty of a lawmaker?" Han wrote.

Han also posted a public question to the government and the ruling party, citing a recorded phone call between Kim and the woman identified as A. "I publicly ask nominee Kim, President Lee and the Democratic Party: is this what resolving a public-interest complaint looks like?" he wrote. In the recording Han referenced, Kim is heard telling A, "The moment the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approval comes through, you could make hundreds of billions of won."

Han went on to ask whether the Democratic Party's notion of a "public-interest complaint" amounted to a "criminal complaint," adding, "We need to overturn this rotten politics."

Han also directed public questions at the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. He claimed the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office had summoned Kim for questioning on brokered bribery charges in August 2024, and that prosecutors there had subsequently decided to indict Kim and formally notified both the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Ministry of Justice of that plan in writing.

"They even said they would indict nominee Kim and seek a sentence of eight months in prison," Han said. "I ask on behalf of the people: who stopped the indictment and the push for a prison sentence, and why?"