KOR- Didn't know because he was a humanities major? He should have told that to broker Ms. Yang
- Judging by their stance, they seem intent on appointing him even if photos from the home are released
- Pushing ahead despite public opposition will become a turning point for the president
- Controversy over source of materials? Anything can be disclosed as long as it serves the public interest
- Hunting down the whistleblower is anti-public interest voyeurism... An abuse of power
- "Cabinet politics"? The real cabinet the ruling party should fear is at Ms. Yang's residence
- Criticism over harsh language? You cannot win when fighting enemies with kindness
- Solo play? I consulted extensively with People Power Party lawmakers
- Suspension of lawmaker status? A dictatorial act unfitting for an advanced nation
- Jang Dong-hyeok attacking me in the same voice as the ruling party... Truly regrettable
- Criticism of being "too much like a prosecutor"? One must be prosecutor-like when confronting criminals
- Kim Min-seok criticizing the Woogeomhoe? His pocketing of 900 million won is the real filth
■ Broadcast: SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show (FM 103.5 MHz 7:00 – 9:00 AM)
■ Date: September 16, 2026 (Wednesday)
■ Host: Attorney Kim Tae-hyun
■ Guest: Independent Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Let us now hear how this person viewed the confirmation hearing for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won held yesterday. Joining us is independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon. Hello.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Good to see you. It has been a while.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Good to see you. In fact, you were the first to persistently and forcefully raise the allegations regarding nominee Kim Seung-won's solicitations toward the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Yes.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: The confirmation hearing took place yesterday. There were questions from People Power Party lawmakers and answers from nominee Kim Seung-won. After watching it yesterday, what did you think? Some of the allegations you raised may have been resolved, while others were not. How did it look to you?
[Han Dong-hoon]: The allegations were resolved long ago. Because it is all fact, there are no mere allegations left. He received a favor from the younger sister of a hostess-bar broker, made phone calls, sent text messages, and pulled strings with the head of the Food and Drug Safety Ministry so they could make a fortune. As a result, the clinical trial passed, and poison was fed to 93 citizens of the Republic of Korea. He admits all of this himself. He is merely attaching long-winded excuses behind it. That is what he is saying. There are no suspicions. The suspicions are cleared. It is not an allegation; it is fact and a crime.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Let us look at an example. Did you kill someone or not? If that is the question, that is an allegation. But saying, "Yes, I killed them, but my indictment was suspended. And by the way, how did you find out about this?" That is what they are doing. There is no longer any suspicion in this matter.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You must have watched closely yesterday. From your perspective, what was the most incomprehensible answer among those given by Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Nothing was understandable.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Really?
[Han Dong-hoon]: I do not understand why he cried there. I want to say this. And he didn't know because he was a humanities major? He should have said that to Yang Soojin. When Yang Soojin said, "Oppa, pull some strings for me with the Food and Drug Safety Ministry," he should have said, "I'm a humanities major, so I know nothing about this. If something goes wrong with medicine, it will cause a disaster." That is what he should have said. Now is not the time to come to a confirmation hearing, ask to be made minister, and bring up having a humanities background.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You expressed a desire to participate as a hearing committee member, but that did not happen. Hypothetically speaking, if you had been sitting there yesterday, what would you have asked?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Ultimately, during these 15 days—meaning since the nomination, when I raised issues in the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts from day one—the public hearing by the citizens was thoroughly conducted and has concluded. Did the Kim Seung-won camp not release their stance through all sorts of inadequate responses? There is no suspicion. It is fact, and it is a crime.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Regarding that photograph taken at the residence, do you have any intention of making it public?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Looking at their current posture, even if we release photos taken at night with just the two of them at the residence, or even if we go further and release video footage, their stance is still to push ahead. I believe this is an unacceptable situation. It would be one thing if they held out claiming it wasn't true. But their argument is: "This is true, the 'oppa poison lobby' is true, but what are you going to do about it? We have the numbers." They are destroying the Republic of Korea. That is what I want to say.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Does that mean I can understand it as there being no need to release it since they will appoint him anyway?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Please wait and see.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: When you say wait and see, do you mean the appointment might not happen?
[Han Dong-hoon]: I believe the citizens of the Republic of Korea will not accept someone who admitted to the "oppa poison lobby" and yet acts brazenly as the head of the Ministry of "Justice." The least just person is about to take the post that requires the greatest justice.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: At yesterday's press conference, you used the phrase "crossroads of history." It seemed to imply that if the president appoints nominee Kim Seung-won, that will mark a crossroads of history. What exactly did you mean?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Nominee Kim Seung-won gave me a nickname: an "enemy of democracy." If preventing a real enemy of democracy makes me an enemy of democracy, I want to say right here that I will gladly be that enemy of democracy a hundred times over.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Han Dong-hoon]: This plainly shows the attitude of the Lee Jae-myung administration toward the public right in front of the entire nation. Even when all citizens oppose it, and Hankyoreh, Kyunghyang, OhmyNews, and No Cut News all oppose it, they stubbornly insist on placing the dirtiest person in the position that must be the cleanest just to make a point. Will the public tolerate this? Furthermore, real estate is blowing up, foreign affairs are blowing up, and in this situation, the public will view Kim Seung-won's appointment as an inflection point. That is what I believe.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: That sounds like you believe things will get worse if the president appoints nominee Kim Seung-won.
[Han Dong-hoon]: I believe we must take to the streets.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Take to the streets? Many media outlets predict that the president will still appoint nominee Kim Seung-won considering the importance of the Justice Minister post.
[Han Dong-hoon]: If he considered its importance, he wouldn't be able to appoint him; if he looks down on the public, he will appoint him.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So if he makes the appointment, you will take to the streets?
[Han Dong-hoon]: I believe many citizens will come out to the streets.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Does that mean—how should I phrase this—yesterday you also said, "Three years is too long"?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Can an administration that brazenly appoints an "oppa poison lobbyist" as the head of the Ministry of "Justice" last for three more years? That is what I think.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Then does that mean if the minister is appointed, President Lee Jae-myung's situation will worsen, and he will face tremendous public resistance?
[Han Dong-hoon]: "He will not be able to finish his term," I state flatly.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Not finish his term? If people take to the streets, will you take to the streets as well?
[Han Dong-hoon]: I will say this much. If you watch over time, you will find out.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Is that so? Do you hold additional evidence? For example, if the president proceeds with the appointment.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Even if a video is released, their stance is to appoint him anyway. That is what I believe.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So you mean they will proceed no matter what happens? Understood. However, what the ruling Democratic Party is taking the greatest issue with is the source of this material. They are asking whether this was brought from the prosecution.
[Han Dong-hoon]: That is like a criminal claiming, "How did you find out?" Isn't that right?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: What is your position on that?
[Han Dong-hoon]: And they mentioned things like an indictment plan. Other media outlets like KBS, Hankyoreh, and No Cut News all reported similar things. There is nothing wrong with those reports. As long as it serves the public interest, anything can be reported, and lawmakers must disclose it. Does it serve the public interest? Isn't the public interest in preventing an "oppa poison lobbyist" from becoming the head of the Ministry of "Justice" immense? It is naturally in the public interest. Not just an indictment plan; even far more confidential information ought to be disclosed.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Let me say this. What if it weren't an indictment plan, but a "martial law plan"?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: A martial law plan?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Say someone obtained a martial law plan. Should that be made public or not? Then, if someone involved in the martial law plan provided it to the outside, did they do something wrong? I believe the core and essence of everything is whether the purpose serves the public interest. Furthermore, they keep telling me to reveal the whistleblower. I want to say this is voyeurism running counter to the public interest. People are curious. It is natural to be curious.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I am curious too.
[Han Dong-hoon]: In the 1974 Watergate scandal, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein disclosed numerous documents and details. Weren't many people curious about that as well? Wondering who on earth "Deep Throat" was. In 2005, the whistleblower revealed himself. That is normal. And to the many whistleblowers across the country, I say once again: please bring your tips to Han Dong-hoon. I will risk my life to protect you.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Regarding your commitment to risk your life to protect them, Lawmaker Kim Dong-ah has filed a criminal complaint against you. He was questioned as the complainant at Yeongdeungpo Police Station on Sunday, and he also had an interview with me yesterday. The next step naturally seems to be an investigation targeting you. There could be a suspect summons, questioning of the accused, and so on. Are you preparing responses to that?
[Han Dong-hoon]: That is pathetic talk. That person is a Daejang-dong lawyer. The Daejang-dong lawyers are having a field day. And he keeps bringing up such claims. Not just him, but the Democratic Party keeps talking about government "cabinets" and whatnot.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: To be precise, when Lawmaker Kim Dong-ah was interviewed yesterday, he said there are suspicions that since major cases must be reported to the Justice Minister, you might have kept reports from your time as minister and are now releasing them. He argued that the transcripts appear condensed, which you wouldn't have condensed yourself, suggesting you had retained an executive summary attached to a ministerial report and released it.
[Han Dong-hoon]: It seems they assume everyone in the world is as lazy and immoral as they are. That is naturally not the case. And they keep saying "cabinet, cabinet." As if things are stacked up in cabinets, pulled out like in the movie 'The King' starring Jung Woo-sung. There is no such thing. If there were, wouldn't they have disclosed it themselves to seize power? Let me say this: there is a real cabinet.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Where?
[Han Dong-hoon]: The real cabinet is not at the prosecution service; it is at Yang Soojin's residence. That is what the Democratic Party will fear. Going forward, the Democratic Party will crawl on its knees before Yang Soojin and be dragged around by her, and even now, they are being dragged around while referring to Yang Soojin as a "sound entrepreneur." It is pathetic.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: So you are saying Lawmaker Kim Dong-ah's personal speculation—that it was reported to the Justice Minister—is incorrect?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Wasn't that timeline long after I left the post of Justice Minister? The plan or whatever they mention is from a much later point in time.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: The timing is later, but yesterday Lawmaker Kim Dong-ah suggested that because you were the ruling party leader and a former Justice Minister, you might have received materials somehow.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Ask that Daejang-dong lawyer, Kim Min-seok. Is Party Leader Kim Min-seok receiving materials from the Ministry of Justice right now?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You mean it is structurally impossible.
[Han Dong-hoon]: People should not just blabber anything like that.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood.
[Han Dong-hoon]: This is not some Daejang-dong gambling den.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: In any case, as you said before, your position remains that you did not receive it from the prosecution, correct?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Even if I had received it from the prosecution, that would be fine. But in the prosecution under the Lee Jae-myung administration today, there is no one with the guts to hand that over. I find that regrettable. However, receiving it from the prosecution for the public interest would be acceptable. Doesn't exposing the truth of this "oppa poison lobby" align with the public interest? Let us return to the point. These people are continuing to claim that the "oppa poison lobby" was legitimate. The public does not view it that way, do they? To expose the "oppa poison lobby," materials from the prosecution, the police, the National Intelligence Service, the Defense Counterintelligence Command, SBS—any of it can be disclosed. However, I state that I did not receive those materials.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. In any case, even if asked during a police investigation, you will not disclose who provided it because you must protect the public interest whistleblower, correct?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Such an investigation would be an abuse of power. Under the Whistleblower Protection Act, a member of the National Assembly has a duty to protect whistleblowers and must not reveal their identity. If one does reveal it, they face criminal punishment, just as Lawmaker Park Jeong-hoon and I filed a complaint against Lawmaker Park Sun-won. If the police coerce that, they too must face criminal punishment.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. Looking back at the process so far, let me ask about some criticisms the media pointed out regarding you.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Here?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Rather than just here, across various legacy media outlets. There was this point: the language is somewhat harsh. Some pointed out the rough expressions, asking whether provocative words that didn't need to be used were really necessary. What do you think about that?
[Han Dong-hoon]: In truth, I wish the people I love could be kind and gentle. I consciously try to be so. I believe the conversations I had with the elderly woman selling sticky rice during the Busan Buk-gu election, or the conversations I had with young citizens there, represent who I truly am normally.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Han Dong-hoon]: But when fighting all alone against the real enemies of democracy who poisoned citizens and now seek to become ministers, you cannot fight or win with that kind of language. I am a tool for the people. I am a tool of the people. The people are not my tool; I am the people's tool. The people right now want me to fight fiercely against those enemies of democracy and win. That is why I am acting this way. I truly love dignity and grace. But I believe a true politician's dignity lies in jumping into the mud at times like this to rescue citizens who are in danger of sinking into the mud.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Another criticism was this: instead of doing all of this as a so-called solo play, if working with People Power Party lawmakers was difficult, why didn't you share it with pro-Han faction lawmakers in the party, form a scrum, and lead this together? Some pointed out that it might have been less lonely and more effective, questioning why you engaged in single-handed play.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Let me state that I consulted, discussed, and led this situation together with many People Power Party lawmakers, including some on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Really?
[Han Dong-hoon]: In the case of Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, he met with me separately, and during the hearing process, we stayed in contact and even consulted with each other on what points and remarks would be good.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Ah, with Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun.
[Han Dong-hoon]: I think people outside are speaking without knowing well. However, there is this aspect. You are suggesting that I should have shared the whistleblower tips and had others expose them. If that happened, the risk of the whistleblower being exposed would increase further. Wouldn't that be the case? Even now, the Democratic Party is raising an enormous fuss, right? They are creating a huge commotion telling me to expose the whistleblower. But facing this kind of attack and commotion—I anticipated this would happen. Isn't it better for me to take these attacks and uproar alone? If I distributed it, wouldn't every single one of those lawmakers be subjected to complaints just the same? I believed there was no need for that. This is something I can confront and win alone. And didn't the whistleblower provide it because they trusted me?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Han Dong-hoon]: In the end, regarding protecting the whistleblower, and knowing that other lawmakers would come under attack if I distributed it, I believed I had to prevent that. That is why I stepped up to take the lead and exposed them one by one.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. You are a politician, an independent lawmaker rather than an extra-parliamentary figure as before, and a presidential contender. In such cases, one instinctively weighs gains and losses when engaging in political acts. Before starting, one calculates what will be a plus and what will be a minus, and after it ends, one makes a self-assessment of what was gained and what was lost. How do you see this in the context of nominee Kim Seung-won's confirmation hearing?
[Han Dong-hoon]: I believe a good politician must act boldly without looking left and right when making major decisions. A sense of justice, and what aligns with the interests of the community and the public. That is what I did this time as well. Calculations can be made, but calculations are not always right. And if I had calculated like that, I would not have acted the way I did on the night of December 3, 2024. When making big decisions, I go forward without calculation.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Does that mean you feel that, looking back, you haven't only gained things, but also lost things? Gains and losses.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Is anything in the world free? But that is a secondary issue; I engage in politics so that the country can truly prosper. I believed this direction helps the country prosper, and if so, I see no reason to hesitate. At times like this, you just forge ahead.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You accept some losses if necessary?
[Han Dong-hoon]: I have done so, and I will continue to do so.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Talk of expulsion from parliament and suspension of lawmaker status did emerge. Of course, Representative Kim Min-seok withdrew it, saying, "For the time being, I have shifted toward taking expulsion or suspension of qualifications off the table in the National Assembly." What do you think? Expulsion by the Democratic Party might be uncertain due to quorum requirements, but suspension of qualification is something the Democratic Party has enough seats to push through if they revise legislation.
[Han Dong-hoon]: That is dictatorship. Let me put it simply: To dictators, don't bark if you cannot bite.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: You believe they ultimately cannot do it?
[Han Dong-hoon]: Whether they do it or not is up to them. But I believe the public is watching to see whether such dictatorial acts belong in the advanced nation of the Republic of Korea in 2026.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Recently, Party Leader Jang posted this message regarding your expulsion on social media: "It is a typical attack on the messenger and a petty attempt to muddy the waters." Media interpreted this as unusually defending you. What is your take on this?
[Han Dong-hoon]: I believe everyone must unite to confront this kind of "oppa poison lobby" regime. However, even after that, the Jang Dong-hyeok mainstream faction has continued to attack me. In the exact same voice as the Democratic Party. I find that regrettable.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Leading this battle, do you feel any resentment toward the People Power Party leadership or mainstream faction regarding their remarks or actions toward you? For instance, wishing they had been just a little more active in naming you to the confirmation hearing committee, which might have prevented yesterday's hearing in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from ending like that.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Look at the turbulent waves I have weathered over the years. Should I feel resentful over something like that?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Really? Understood. Also, it seems it was not brought up at yesterday's hearing, but Lawmaker Sohn Seol requested and received your support committee's expenditure records from the National Election Commission. How do you view that?
[Han Dong-hoon]: It is absurd. Digging into someone's background like that—isn't that the very definition of "cabinet politics"? But no matter how much they open that cabinet, I say go ahead and open it all you want. And let me make it clear that the National Election Commission is only permitted to provide materials directly related to the hearing.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. Since time is running short, let me touch upon two final points. One of the criticisms from those who place high hopes in you is that by leading this issue, you might have reverted from the gentle politician image you showed during the last Busan Buk-gu election back to an attack dog persona, looking again like the hardline special-investigation prosecutor of the past. Some expressed regret over that.
[Han Dong-hoon]: When confronting criminals, one must be like a prosecutor. And when dealing with citizens, one must be endlessly gentle and kind. That is what I will do.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. Here is one more thing. Party Leader Kim Min-seok previously said regarding his past political fund case that he was "a victim who became the first target of prosecutors belonging to the Woogeomhoe (Woo Prosecutors Association)." He spoke as if former President Yoon Suk Yeol and Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon were key figures in it. What is your response to that?
[Han Dong-hoon]: That case was not handled by me, but did Party Leader Kim Min-seok not greedily take that 900 million won? To be precise, it is 920 million won. It is true that he pocketed it. And when I said he pocketed it, he claimed my words were "filth." Those were his own words.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Yes.
[Han Dong-hoon]: But calling out someone for pocketing money is not filth; pocketing 920 million won is the real filth. And out of that 920 million won, he received 250 million won from a sponsor named Kang Shin-sung, plus 4.5 million won every month. Yet as soon as he became party leader recently, he appointed that person as a special advisor to the party leader on civic organizations. That is the sale of public offices. Democratic Party supporters should feel ashamed that such a person is serving as the leader of the Democratic Party.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: The word "pocketed" is quite a strong expression.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Well, those are words I said, and since Party Leader Kim Min-seok spoke about that wording, I think it is fine.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: I would just like to note that some listeners tuning in might feel uncomfortable with that language, as we are a legacy media broadcast station. Lastly, let me ask one lighter question. Recently on YouTube, I saw Lee Ha-neul of DJ DOC—I personally enjoy his rapping too; he has great groove. He came on and said something like: "I think Han Dong-hoon is going to do well. If that happens, will I not be able to live in Korea? What should I do?" When he posted that video, you left a comment saying you were a fan.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Clearly speaking, it didn't seem like he likes me. But I don't engage in politics only for those who like me. And in our youth, wasn't DOC everywhere?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Well, that is true.
[Han Dong-hoon]: I liked seeing people who had grievances against the world succeed.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: His exact words were: "Right now on the Democratic Party side, whether it's Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok or Lawmaker Song Young-gil, whoever runs won't stand a chance against Han Dong-hoon right now." And then he said, "If this happens, will I not be able to live in our country?" That was the gist of it. Understood.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Is this right? Was it this one?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: That's right. That is correct. Show me once. Show me one more time.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Let's look together.
[Kim Tae-hyun]: This, this, this, this. This is it, right?
[Han Dong-hoon]: This was "Dance with DOC," wasn't it?
[Kim Tae-hyun]: Understood. We will wrap up here for today. That was independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon. Thank you, Lawmaker Han.
[Han Dong-hoon]: Thank you.
The copyright of this interview material belongs to SBS Radio.
When publishing the full text or citing this interview in reports,
please state the channel name and the exact program name as shown below.
[SBS Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show]
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
Video News
Video News