Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 8th criticized independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon over his allegations against Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, calling his approach "textbook cabinet politics in the style of political prosecutors, digging out only the materials that support his own claims."
Speaking at a party leadership meeting at the National Assembly, the floor leader said, "We cannot tolerate distorting the facts by mobilizing materials whose source cannot even be disclosed, along with partially cut recordings, all under the pretext of vetting."
He said Kim's confirmation hearing is scheduled for next week and that the nominee "must account for every issue the public wants answered." He added that "those doing the vetting can also examine the matter thoroughly and in detail, based on materials and testimony, in line with confirmation hearing procedures."
The floor leader said Han Dong-hoon "has not properly explained the findings contained in the court rulings from the trials of those involved or in the prosecution's non-indictment reasoning, and is instead continuing with one-sided claims." He said that "before further inflating the allegations, he should first make clear to the public who gave him the materials and through what channel." He added, "If he has made claims that differ from the facts, he must take responsibility accordingly."
The floor leader also raised the vacancies on the Supreme Court bench. "With the retirement of Justice Lee Heung-koo, a Supreme Court division seat has become vacant at the same time," he said, calling it "the result of a delay of more than half a year in nominating a successor since former Justice Noh Tae-ak retired in March." He said the Supreme Court's Third Division "cannot even meet the quorum for hearings and is in a position where justices from other divisions must be moved over."
Noting that cases including allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon-hee and the insurrection case against former ministers Han Duck-soo and Lee Sang-min have been referred to the full bench, he argued that they "could end up being the biggest beneficiaries of the shortage of justices." Turning to Chief Justice Jo Hee-de, he said, "After putting off nominations for more than half a year and then making a surprise written nomination of a candidate who had not been agreed upon, he is now delaying even the renomination." He urged the chief justice to "move quickly on renomination procedures from among the candidates already recommended."
