Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said on the 9th that she will direct relevant agencies to closely examine how prosecutors' investigation files were leaked, whether any laws were broken, and what the facts are, following allegations that independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon obtained and disclosed material related to a drug-approval favor-seeking scandal involving Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won.
The prime minister made the remarks during a parliamentary question-and-answer session at the National Assembly the same day, after Rep. Lee Hae-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea said the government should immediately launch an inspection and investigation to identify the source and route of the leak, punish those responsible and overhaul the system for managing investigative information. "If undisclosed investigation material was leaked outside and used without going through due process, it is an extremely grave matter," Han said.
On whether a constitutional amendment extending or allowing a second presidential term would apply to the sitting president, Han said it is clearly stipulated that provisions related to the amendment do not apply to the president in office at the time. "I believe our position on that has already been clearly stated," she said.
Asked about the controversy over a May 18 debate forum hosted by Rep. Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party, Han said she felt "genuinely appalled," adding that appropriate measures are needed in response to the damage done to the founding spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement.
