Park Sung-joon: "Han Dong-hoon Is in a State of Frenzy... Action Must Be Taken if There Was Collusion with Prosecution"

-Kim Min-seok's notepad? In preparation for the Seoul mayoral election
-Notes jotted down from various opinions... even MS's own name was included
-Jung Chung-rae displeased? It was merely gathering opinions, not asking for his intent
-Lee Jin-sook and Han Dong-hoon OUT? A statement that unconstitutional acts will not be tolerated
-It has become the Han Dong-hoon document leak scandal; he is unqualified to be a lawmaker
-Nominee Kim Seung-won can clear the confirmation hearing; indictment was suspended fearing an acquittal
-Zero witnesses? Adopting witnesses is not easy... Han should be summoned as a witness
-Why is the opposition fighting over witnesses? They should vet him with their own capabilities
-Han Dong-hoon has fallen into a massive trap… Action must be taken on collusion with prosecution
-Troop deployment to Hormuz: if the party acts preemptively, repercussions will grow
-The party must approach carefully with a definitive voice
 
■ Broadcast: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.)
■ Date: September 10, 2026 (Thu)
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Park Sung-joon, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker (Senior Spokesperson)
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yesterday, the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee discussed selecting witnesses for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, but failed to reach an agreement. Let us hear from Lawmaker Park Sung-joon, senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, on how preparations for the confirmation hearing are currently proceeding. Welcome, Lawmaker.
 
[Park Sung-joon] Pleasure to be here. It has been a while since I appeared on the show.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] It has been a while. It feels as if you have been serving as spokesperson throughout your entire term.
 
[Park Sung-joon] I have served as spokesperson for a long time.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] And you have also been in broadcasting for quite some time. How do you find the role of senior spokesperson?
 
[Park Sung-joon] I served as senior spokesperson for a little over a month when we were the opposition party. But serving as the senior spokesperson for the ruling party, I learn a lot and get to understand state affairs as a whole.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Indeed.
 
[Park Sung-joon] Personally and politically, this is a period where I build significant inner strength, and above all, it is very busy.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] There are many issues.
 
[Park Sung-joon] A tremendous amount.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] There are issues I would like to ask about. First, regarding the notepad. Just earlier on MinTV, Party Leader Kim Min-seok appeared and said, "I did not get photographed on purpose." Why were those names written down? 'Chung-rae, Won-shik, Hoon-sik.'
 
[Park Sung-joon] He addressed it on broadcast earlier today. Yesterday, we had a leadership workshop. It was a leadership workshop preparing policy legislation attended by the party leader, floor leader, and supreme council members. At first, the administration office chief came up to me and said that a photo had been taken. So at first, I thought I was the one who was photographed. Flustered, I reported it to the leader, and the leader was actually startled as well. He did not know it had been photographed, and all the leaders present saw how taken aback he was. So it seems he truly did not know it was captured.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Then, was writing down those names there just a matter of brainstorming ideas?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Listening to his explanation today—I also asked him yesterday what happened, but he did not say much then, and I came here after listening to his detailed explanation on Minjoo TV today—within the Democratic Party, there had been a lot of talk about needing to prepare for the Seoul mayoral election.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Even though only the first trial ruling is out.
 
[Park Sung-joon] The point is that politics requires preparation.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Because no one knows what might happen.
 
[Park Sung-joon] A party leader holds a position of responsibility, doesn't he? And it is a position that must ponder what needs to be done to win that election, so it seems he heard various opinions. He jotted them down as notes, and it just happened to be photographed by chance.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] It seems he mentioned on MinTV today that he explored possible candidates that could be discussed using imagination. Names like former Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong came up, and it seems he even took notes considering Seoul National University Professor Kim Kyung-min and former Lawmaker Kim Jin-ai.
 
[Park Sung-joon] I am not certain about Kim Hyun-chong, Kim Jin-ai, or Kim Kyung-min. When our lawmakers talk, they naturally discuss the names mentioned earlier among themselves. They naturally say things like, 'If we prepare for the Seoul mayoral election, aren't these kinds of figures needed?' But looking at it, the party leader had written down even more people.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] But among those written down, former Party Leader Jung Chung-rae seemed quite displeased. He even wrote a post on Facebook yesterday saying, 'Why keep provoking someone who lost? Min-seok and Young-gil should run instead.'
 
[Park Sung-joon] Doesn't 'MS' indicate that even Party Leader Kim Min-seok himself was written down as an idea? Looking at what he said on Minjoo TV today regarding including his own name, as party leader, and given that he did not actually ask for their intentions, he merely took those notes. That was what I told reporters yesterday—that the party leader carries many concerns and is listening to diverse opinions—and I think it carries that meaning.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] So you are saying former Party Leader Jung Chung-rae does not need to feel that offended.
 
[Park Sung-joon] I do not think it is appropriate for me to comment here on his personal intent or feelings. The essence of this is that if there is a Seoul mayoral election, Party Leader Kim Min-seok was gathering diverse opinions regarding what kind of candidate fits, and looking at image, symbolism, and potential to broaden public support.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] You mean he is in a position where he has no choice but to contemplate multiple angles, even putting himself in the candidate pool?
 
[Park Sung-joon] He even mentioned that. In the media, they were speculating on who 'M' this and that stood for, interpreting it in all kinds of ways. But he explained it today.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Right, that it was his own name. Understood. And then 'Lee Jin-sook, Han Dong-hoon OUT.' Of course, among the opposition lawmakers, the ones Party Leader Kim Min-seok clashed with the most recently were Lawmaker Lee Jin-sook over May 18, and Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon over nominee Kim Seung-won. In the case of Lawmaker Lee Jin-sook, are you seeking expulsion over the May 18 issue?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Regarding unconstitutional acts, the leader clearly stated during his representative address that anything outside the Constitution cannot be forgiven. In the history of our Republic of Korea and the history of our democracy, isn't it the shared view of both ruling and opposition politicians that the victims of May 18 and the May 18 Democratic Uprising should be enshrined in the Constitution as constitutional values? However, seeing Lawmaker Lee Jin-sook's behavior calling it a riot and denying it, I personally believe this must never be tolerated. Party Leader Kim Min-seok also seems to clearly state that such a politician must not find a foothold here.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Do you have plans to push for expulsion...
 
[Park Sung-joon] An expulsion resolution has already been submitted, but realistically, the National Assembly Ethics Committee has not been formed. So Party Leader Kim Min-seok also mentioned on broadcast today that if the National Assembly Act is revised, qualifications can be suspended. It needs to be approached from that angle as well.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Suspending qualifications by amending the National Assembly Act?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Yes, suspension of qualifications. A two-thirds majority is for...
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Expulsion under the Constitution.
 
[Park Sung-joon] That would be expulsion, and he suggested whether the requirements for suspension of qualifications could be strengthened with a majority vote.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Is that so?
 
[Park Sung-joon] In the case of Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, looking at the situation now, isn't it turning into the Han Dong-hoon scandal? Vice Minister of Justice Lee Jin-soo stated clearly during yesterday's parliamentary questioning that there was a high likelihood of an illegal leak, explaining that it was an illegal leak. Did he not state that it was highly likely leaked from the prosecution? Those were the indictment plan reports, weren't they? The fact that investigation plans and such details were made public confirmed yesterday that they originated from the prosecution, and the Vice Minister of Justice explicitly stated that this was illegal. It seems Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon has now become the scandal himself. Therefore, Party Leader Kim Min-seok seems to have written down his thoughts because he felt it was unforgivable for a member of the National Assembly to commit illegalities under the pretext of a confirmation hearing. Thus, I believe he wrote 'Lee Jin-sook, Han Dong-hoon OUT' with the stance that unconstitutional acts and illegalities will not be forgiven.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Then, in the case of Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, are you planning to seek expulsion or a suspension of qualifications by amending the National Assembly Act, just as with Lawmaker Lee Jin-sook?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Regarding Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, since it has turned into the Han Dong-hoon scandal, I personally believe this must be sternly punished at the National Assembly level. Leader Kim Min-seok did not say that, but from my view, Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon seems unforgivable.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Then pushing for expulsion?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Rather than pushing for expulsion, since I am not the party leader, I cannot say here that we are pursuing that. But regarding Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's conduct, I believe he is unqualified to be a member of the National Assembly.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] That is, there is a difference between you personally saying that person is unqualified, versus institutionally pursuing expulsion like Lawmaker Lee Jin-sook or pursuing qualification suspension by amending the National Assembly Act.
 
[Park Sung-joon] That will need to be discussed. What I mean is, did not the party leader say he is unqualified? He stated that on Minjoo TV today, and I share that view, as do many lawmakers.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] But you mean you will give some thought to how to proceed institutionally?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Regarding institutional reform, did he not speak about the legislative process today? The party leader remarked today that if it can be done through legislative amendments in the National Assembly, shouldn't there be a bill allowing the suspension of qualifications for such erroneous views, unconstitutional acts, and illegalities?
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. All of this arose because of the confirmation hearing for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won. How do you view it? Is the party preparing well for the confirmation hearing? Do you think he can overcome it?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Of course. Naturally, won't he? Lawmaker Kim Seung-won is currently explaining and clarifying well on a personal level regarding the various allegations raised so far. In particular, regarding the allegations raised about Lawmaker Kim Seung-won, weren't about 11 prosecutors from the prosecution under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, specifically under Han Dong-hoon's leadership, deployed at the time? And after thoroughly combing through everything for three years, it resulted in a suspension of indictment. Furthermore, looking at the final investigation plan report and indictment plan report, does it not state in the report that the indictment was suspended because an acquittal was highly likely? Didn't they come up empty despite combing through everything? Hasn't it ended cleanly?
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] There were reports that you held a late-night video conference with nominee Kim Seung-won. Was it around September 4? In a sense, that could be the party's first strategy meeting. What did nominee Kim Seung-won say at that time? Because other lawmakers might have been worried if they did not understand the situation well.
 
[Park Sung-joon] He provided full explanations regarding that situation, but I do not think it is appropriate for me to detail the contents of the video conference here.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] But after the video conference concluded, listening to nominee Kim Seung-won, you judged that even with some offensive from the press and Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, this was something you could push through. Is that correct?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Yes.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] But why didn't you agree to the witness selection?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Regarding witness adoption, in most cases with minister nominees, adopting witnesses is not easy. That is because the ruling and opposition parties clash so intensely.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] But there were many instances where witnesses were adopted.
 
[Park Sung-joon] There were such cases, but recently, witnesses have rarely been adopted.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] What I am curious about is, for instance, from the ruling party's perspective, it is natural not to want witnesses who speak unfavorably against nominee Kim Seung-won. But in the case of Kang Se-chan (founder of Genencell) or a certain Mr. Yang requested by the People Power Party, they do not seem likely to speak so unfavorably against nominee Kim Seung-won. Why oppose those two as well?
 
[Park Sung-joon] I think there have always been battles over witnesses. I have also been in the opposition. For an opposition lawmaker, it is not a matter of witnesses; the confirmation hearing is a stage where the opposition's competence unfolds. Then they just need to demonstrate their own competence. Seeing them engage in a witness battle over this makes one wonder whether they are unable to prove their case, effectively declaring a lack of competence.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] But from the public's viewpoint, people do want to hear from the parties involved in the case. For example, the press and the public are curious to hear whether what is in the transcripts disclosed by Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon is really true, and with what intent Mr. Yang made those remarks.
 
[Park Sung-joon] When I served as senior deputy floor leader, it was always very difficult for the ruling and opposition parties to reach an agreement on witness adoption. From that perspective, such witness battles have typically always existed, and in the end, it turned into a verification hearing focusing on the nominee.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] What about adopting Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon as a witness? Because nominee Kim Seung-won said 'come forward,' and Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party also suggested calling him in to hear his side. It seems Han Dong-hoon might show up if called.
 
[Park Sung-joon] Regardless, the floor leaders and committee members of both parties on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee have their own positions. I do not know how it will be handled there. I personally believe it is appropriate to adopt Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon as a witness.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Is that so?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Yes.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Then summon him and hold him accountable regarding the document leak and other matters?
 
[Park Sung-joon] In a way, hasn't this now become the Han Dong-hoon scandal? That part is central, so I think having Han Dong-hoon as a witness would not be a bad idea.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Really?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Yes.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Then could he be adopted even today?
 
[Park Sung-joon] I do not know about that. It is something decided by the members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Couldn't the party leadership call him in...
 
[Park Sung-joon] That is because the members on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee are specialists. The party fully respects the standing committee. Out of respect for the standing committee, the committee makes that decision.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. Lawmaker, let's play a balance game. It might be a game you do not really want to play. Regarding nominee Kim Seung-won, Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon says "the essence is the 'older brother,'" while People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok says "the essence is not the 'older brother,' but the withdrawal of the indictment." Since a balance game requires choosing between options you would rather not pick, whose statement do you think is correct?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Setting aside the balance game, looking at Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's attitude and demeanor, yesterday as I walked out of the National Assembly, he was holding a press conference right in front of the National Assembly building. Looking at politicians, there are realms of composure and realms of frenzy. In politics, one must remain calm. Right now, he has fallen into a state of frenzy, posting 30, 40, 50 times on social media.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Park Sung-joon] That is firing indiscriminately. He is firing away without even knowing what it is. Because he is in a realm of frenzy, it seems his strength to actually sustain this has hit rock bottom. The reason is, during his days as a prosecutor, if he poured out numerous claims like that, the press would pick them up and digest them, and verification did not really enter the picture. In his prosecutor days, because things were veiled, attacks were made from concealment. But in the National Assembly, doesn't Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon have to operate with openness and transparency? Everything undergoes proof. Viewed that way, as this becomes about Han Dong-hoon, he has no cheering squad or supporting forces. Therefore, I see Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon falling into a massive trap regarding this case.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Rather, it has become the Han Dong-hoon scandal.
 
[Park Sung-joon] It has become the Han Dong-hoon scandal, hasn't it? Because across both ruling and opposition lawmakers, who would defend and support Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's behavior right now?
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Then what does the Democratic Party plan to do going forward? For the confirmation hearing...
 
[Park Sung-joon] As for Kim Seung-won's confirmation hearing, it proceeds as a hearing, and regarding the Han Dong-hoon scandal, we are stating our position clearly. Party Leader Kim Min-seok also said we will take action against everyone involved and pursue legal measures.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] So for plans, for example, Lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi filed a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials? It seems someone filed a complaint.
 
[Park Sung-joon] Lawmaker Kim Dong-ah filed the complaint.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Lawmaker Kim Dong-ah.
 
[Park Sung-joon] Multiple complaints are being filed. Even yesterday, the Vice Minister of Justice stated clearly that this was illegal.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Yes.
 
[Park Sung-joon] Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon has now become the subject of the Han Dong-hoon scandal and must be investigated, and if there are those who colluded with Han Dong-hoon, shouldn't action be taken against all of them? I think that is how it will unfold.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Then could expulsion or suspension of qualifications follow as well?
 
[Park Sung-joon] That is a matter to be discussed later. Since the leader mentioned the National Assembly Act, I think the anchor is getting a bit ahead. If such an issue arises, I believe it is a matter to be decided through later discussions.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. Frankly, aren't you more burdened by nominee Yong Hye-in than nominee Kim Seung-won? The atmosphere in the Democratic Party seems to read that way. Seeing what Lawmaker Song Young-gil said recently, there is even talk that not only the ministerial post but even her seat as a lawmaker could be in jeopardy.
 
[Park Sung-joon] It is difficult for me to answer by characterizing it here. Right now, even the party leader...
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] The media even coined the phrase 'Kim survives, Yong dies.'
 
[Park Sung-joon] That is just a perspective from certain media outlets. From the party's standpoint, I would say we are currently in the process of gathering public opinion.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] There is one more difficult issue: Hormuz.
 
[Park Sung-joon] That is indeed a very difficult issue.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Many opposing voices are emerging within the party.
 
[Park Sung-joon] Because it is a diplomatic issue, we must clearly consider the government's stance and the United States' stance. Furthermore, for diplomatic issues such as this crucial matter of troop deployment, we have our standing committee, the National Defense Committee. We must proceed step by step while watching the discussions in the National Defense Committee; if the party responds preemptively, the repercussions will only grow larger.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] On the contrary?
 
[Park Sung-joon] Yes. Therefore, you can understand that we are approaching this cautiously in that respect.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Is it true that holding out without deploying troops is difficult right now due to pressure from the United States?
 
[Park Sung-joon] I do not think that is something for me to comment on here. Historically, diplomatic matters and troop deployments carry tremendous diplomatic repercussions and immense impacts on domestic public opinion. Therefore, decisions from the party must be phrased in definitive language, representing our final stance. Speaking out prematurely on every single detail would be like pouring oil on fire, so I believe we must be cautious.
 
[Kim Tae-hyun] Understood. We will conclude here. This was Lawmaker Park Sung-joon, senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea. Thank you.
 
[Park Sung-joon] Thank you.

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