Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon did not comply with the special counsel's request to appear as a reference witness over allegations that former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife interfered in candidate nominations for the general election.
Han was scheduled to be questioned as a reference witness at 2 p.m. on the 10th at the special counsel's office set up at KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, but did not show up by the appointed time. The special counsel publicly requested Han's appearance as a reference witness in a briefing on the 4th, but Han soon posted on social media that he would not appear. At the time, he said, "As the person who led the People Power Party during the general election, I will not respond to the attempt to sow division by special counsel Min Joong-ki, who was chosen by the Democratic Party, our opponent in the general election."
According to the special counsel, since Aug., the investigative team tried multiple times to coordinate an interview schedule with Han's side by phone, text, and mail, but received no response. The special counsel said it intends to verify the facts regarding Han's remarks in media interviews that "around the general election, I refused former Director General Prosecutor Kim Sang-min's request for a nomination, which led to conflict with former President Yoon."
The latest reference-witness request is a continuation of the probe into the so-called "nomination meddling allegations." Special counsel Min Joong-ki believes former Director General Prosecutor Kim Sang-min handed a work by artist Lee Ufan to first lady Kim Keon-hee while seeking favors, including a nomination for the Apr. 10, 2024 general election. It was during a period when Han exercised the authority over nomination screening and final confirmation of candidates.
Kim is also suspected of having pressured former lawmaker Kim Young-sun, whose constituency is Uichang-gu in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, to "support Prosecutor Kim Sang-min so he can win in Uichang-gu" ahead of the general election. Former Director General Prosecutor Kim was eliminated (cut off) during the nomination screening process, but in Aug. of the same year was appointed a legal special adviser at the National Intelligence Service.
On Oct. 2, the special counsel indicted former Director General Prosecutor Kim on detention for violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and is continuing its investigation of Kim Keon-hee on bribery charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. Separate from Han's refusal to appear, the special counsel plans to continue examining whether there was interference in nominations based on the statements and materials it has secured.