Democratic Party Accuses Han Dong-hoon of 'Red-Baiting' Over Street Protest Remarks

When independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon said that citizens must take to the streets if the appointment of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won is forced through, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized him on the 17th, saying he "appears to be following in the footsteps of People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, who beat a drum at Olympic Park."

Speaking on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's News Show' the previous day, Han declared that President Lee Jae-myung "will not be able to finish his term" if he pushes through the appointment of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won. He called for street protests, saying "many people will come out to the streets," but dodged a direct answer when asked whether he himself would join them, saying only "you will find out in due course."

Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Kye-won referred to Han as 'Yoon Dong-hoon,' saying that "Yoon Dong-hoon, who incites people to take to the streets, should be the first one investigated by police." The party had earlier filed a complaint with the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency on July 7, claiming Han had disclosed leaked internal investigation materials.