Controversy over Edited Transcript of Han Dong-hoon's Confirmation Hearing

Regarding the release of the transcript related to Rep. Kim Seung-won, former Minister Han Dong-hoon stated, "The data presented there has no additions or omissions by me whatsoever. I think you can interpret it as it is, can't you?" He claimed that the released material was not edited in any way and conveyed the content as it was. New탐사, on the other hand, raised doubts about its authenticity, claiming that this transcript was edited for a specific purpose.

Rep. Kim Seung-won explained regarding the COVID-19 clinical approval complaint controversy, "The conclusion is that I never made any improper solicitations to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, nor was the Ministry's review process unfairly conducted because of it." He emphasized that he had not made any improper solicitations to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and that the review had not been unfairly conducted. However, he admitted that he lacked caution in the process of conveying the complaint.

Rep. Kim Seung-won explained that the purpose of conveying the complaint was to support domestic companies in response to market interference by multinational pharmaceutical companies. He stated, "I called the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety with the intention of asking them to process the supported procedures fairly and quickly." He also claimed that he merely requested the Ministry head to confirm why the procedures were being delayed, and had no other intentions.

It has been argued that there is a contextual difference between the transcript released by former Minister Han Dong-hoon and the full version. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon of New탐사 pointed out that the part where Rep. Kim Seung-won stated, "It's not something to ask the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, I just asked them to confirm why it's being delayed. This sentence is important. They omitted this." was deleted from former Minister Han Dong-hoon's transcript. While former Minister Han Dong-hoon's side stated that they edited it to focus on the alleged investment pressure, New탐사 argued that the reasonable context of the complaint, such as confirming the reason for delay, was deleted, raising suspicions about the transcript's editing.

Opinions diverged on whether Rep. Kim Seung-won's advice to 'be careful' could be interpreted as evidence of solicitation. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon of New탐사 quoted the part where it was mentioned, "The professor suddenly said, 'Never talk about this again. It will become a subject of parliamentary audit.'" Former Minister Han Dong-hoon interpreted this remark as evidence of solicitation, while Rep. Kim Seung-won's side explained it as a caution against inappropriate remarks, showing a difference in interpretation.

A significant difference was found between former Minister Han Dong-hoon's released version and the original transcript related to Rep. Kim Seung-won. Producer Lee Doo-seok read the part from former Minister Han Dong-hoon's released version that says, "It makes sense that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety helped because it was a dire situation. The professor said he would pay a gratuity, 100 million won. So I asked him to invest 1 billion won in that company, but he said 1 billion is too much for the valuation, so he'd do 500 million won as a convertible bond issue. If I get that, I have to cover the 400 million won under seizure." He revealed that specific details such as a 500 million won loan and return after 1 year were omitted from the actual original. In Rep. Kim Seung-won's released version, details about a 500 million won loan and interest payments were identifiable, confirming that the conversation included terms for a loan and return, not just a simple investment request.

Differences in opinion emerged regarding the relationship between Rep. Kim Seung-won and CEO Yang. Former Minister Han Dong-hoon's side characterized Mr. Yang as a lobbyist, raising suspicions of an inappropriate relationship. In contrast, Rep. Kim Seung-won stated, "I first met CEO Yang at a restaurant and café where legal professionals often go, as a customer, and then had no particular interaction until I took on her case involving a violation of labor laws, becoming her lawyer." Rep. Kim Seung-won explained that Mr. Yang was the client in a case she took on and a successful female entrepreneur, refuting former Minister Han Dong-hoon's claims.

Allegations were raised that then-Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon leaked or improperly acquired investigation materials. Rep. Kim Seung-won asserted, "Leaking investigation materials is a criminal offense. It is a direct violation of laws that strictly prohibit the exercise of a party's right to defense." He questioned the authenticity of the investigation materials and the legality of their acquisition during Han's tenure as Minister of Justice. In response, former Minister Han Dong-hoon's side refused to disclose the specific channels of information, citing the protection of public interest whistleblowers, thereby avoiding resolving the suspicions.

The past debate between Rep. Na Kyung-won and then-Minister Han Dong-hoon regarding the request for dismissal of indictments has resurfaced. Rep. Na Kyung-won argued, "Did I ask only for my case to be dropped? 27 lawmakers were indicted, and if we were to dismiss our indictments, opposition lawmakers would also have to be dismissed, so wasn't it a request for that to happen together? Could only my case be dropped?" She stated that she never asked for only her case to be dropped, and that it was a request for the dismissal of indictments for all 27 lawmakers, including those from the opposition. In contrast, then-Minister Han Dong-hoon countered that it was wrong for a party involved in a case to demand the Minister of Justice dismiss an indictment, setting up a confrontation.

It has been argued that further verification of additional allegations related to Rep. Kim Seung-won is necessary. PD Lee Doo-seok mentioned, "We need to investigate what exactly was requested of the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, whether the actual review procedure changed after that phone call, and finally, whether there was a quid pro quo between the 5 million won donation promise and the complaint." The task remains to determine whether there were actual changes in the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's review procedures and whether there was a quid pro quo between the 5 million won donation promise and the request for a complaint.

The controversy surrounding then-Minister Han Dong-hoon's demeanor during his confirmation hearing has re-emerged. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon cited Rep. Kim Jong-min's criticism, "By specifically using the term 'prosecution power stripping,' you intended to fight," and "I've been to many confirmation hearings. But a candidate who started their opening remarks with 'Want to fight?' is a first." Rep. Min Hyung-bae also criticized the use of the term 'prosecution power stripping,' demanding an apology, escalating the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties.

A discrepancy between Han Dong-hoon's response at the confirmation hearing and his rising approval ratings was pointed out. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon remarked, "I remember Han Dong-hoon's approval ratings went up after that hearing. This is a truly regrettable point." It was analyzed that despite the allegations, his approval ratings rose because the attacks from Democratic Party lawmakers were defensive, questions were not specific enough, and the situation devolved into an emotional quarrel.

Suspicions were raised about the source of funds for former Minister Han Dong-hoon's mother's real estate transaction. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon asked, "Han Dong-hoon's mother originally lent money to a person named A, who owned this property, and set up a collateral mortgage. In the meantime, Han Dong-hoon bought this house. And then he completely released the collateral mortgage. So whose money was used to buy it?" Along with questions about the funding for an apartment acquisition during his time as a military legal officer, doubts were raised about the complexity of the real estate collateral mortgage setup and release process, and the unnatural flow of transactions with repeated sales reservations and cancellations.

It was revealed that reporter Lee Dong-jae and former Minister Han Dong-hoon had 327 contacts over two months. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon stated, "At that time, Lee Dong-jae and Han Dong-hoon contacted each other 327 times over two months. We couldn't get the content, but what kind of conversations were there? This transcript, which was released, even states that Han Dong-hoon said something like, 'Sell me out.'" This was pointed out as a contradiction to former Minister Han Dong-hoon's previous statement that he had never conversed, intensifying questions about the content of their communications.

Criticism of 'double standards' was raised regarding the controversy over the leakage of confirmation hearing documents. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon mentioned, "They made a huge fuss, saying, 'It's my material, these media outlets had it.' But actually, this was quite funny, especially when they talked about us, 더탐사." She criticized the current behavior of not revealing sources while claiming public interest and the right to know, referencing past investigations into document leaks during former Minister Han Dong-hoon's confirmation hearing.

New탐사 explained its investigative reporting methods and data acquisition process, clarifying that its reporting did not use confirmation hearing materials. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon explained, "더탐사, at that time, did not report using these confirmation hearing materials; we're actually in a situation where we need to teach people how to find things. Usually, these things are found in the Official Gazette, real estate registries, and SME status systems." This means that New탐사 conducted its investigation using publicly available data such as the Official Gazette, real estate registries, and SME status systems, not confirmation hearing materials.

Strategies for responding to former Minister Han Dong-hoon's conversational technique were discussed. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon criticized, "Han Dong-hoon usually does this: someone asks a question, then he counters with his own question. Answering a question with a question is really not good." She emphasized the need for thorough data analysis and documentation-based responses rather than emotional reactions, proposing strategies for effective Q&A.

The possibility of Minister Han Dong-hoon having to explain the source of his data and testify in the National Assembly was raised. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon mentioned, "On the contrary, Han Dong-hoon might be in a situation where he has to answer questions. He might even be summoned to clarify the source of this data." It was argued that while the selection of witnesses might be difficult due to opposition from the People Power Party, Minister Han Dong-hoon himself needs to clearly disclose the source of his data.

Complaints continued regarding the difficulties of on-site coverage at the National Assembly and the evasion of questions by subjects. Reporter Kwon Ji-yeon stated, "I ran into them so many times. You'd think they'd recognize me, but the moment I ask a question, their expression changes completely, and they immediately run away. They greet you so warmly, but as soon as you ask a question, their expression changes, and they bolt." She mentioned the challenges of covering the National Assembly due to access restrictions and expressed a critical view of those who change their demeanor and evade questions whenever asked.