Han Dong-hoon, an independent candidate running in the Busan Buk-gu A by-election for the National Assembly, emphasized that the comprehensive special counsel's request to extend his travel ban was "a blatant election interference."
On the 12th, Han posted on his Facebook page, saying, "Just like the previous special counsel, which imposed a travel ban and then did nothing, sending only a non-prosecution notice, they have already kept me under a travel ban for a month, couldn't even summon me, and are now doing this recklessly."
Han's post was a response to the comprehensive special counsel's request to extend his travel ban. The comprehensive special counsel had earlier informed the media that it "requested the Ministry of Justice to extend the travel ban period for those under the comprehensive special counsel's investigation, including former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon."
A travel ban on Han was imposed on the 13th of last month, and the measure was set to expire on the 13th. The extension for one month was requested a day before the ban expired.
Han said, "This kind of blatant election interference is the very essence of the 'Democratic Party political special counsel,' filled with political opportunists," adding, "At the same time, it shows whom the Lee Jae-myung administration considers the biggest thorn in its side."
He continued, "For the opposition party to act like an opposition party, the person the administration fears most must be in the National Assembly," emphasizing, "I will win without fail and rebuild a conservative camp that is different from now—confident, proud, and competent."