Han Dong-hoon
Overview
Han Dong-hoon (Korean: 한동훈, born April 9, 1973) is a South Korean prosecutor-turned-politician. He served as a member of the 22nd National Assembly (proportional representation) and was the leader of the People Power Party from July 2024 to December 2024. During his tenure as Prosecutor General, he was at the center of political controversy due to conflicts with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the investigation of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. He later entered politics and emerged as a next-generation figure in the conservative camp.
Main Content
Early Life and Education
Han Dong-hoon was born in Seoul in 1973. He graduated from Gyeonggi High School and entered Seoul National University's College of Law. While in university, he passed the bar exam (1995, 37th round) and embarked on a career as a legal professional. After completing the Judicial Research and Training Institute (25th class), he was appointed as a prosecutor.
Prosecutor Career
Han Dong-hoon began his career as a prosecutor at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office in 2001. He primarily worked in special investigation divisions, handling cases involving corporate corruption and politicians. In the 2010s, he worked at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Central Investigation Division, handling cases such as the corruption scandal involving former National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Hyun-oh and the National Intelligence Service comment manipulation case. In 2016, he investigated the Park Geun-hye administration's cultural blacklist case. In 2019, during the Moon Jae-in administration, he was appointed as the head of the Criminal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice, participating in prosecutorial reform efforts, but became known for conflicts with Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae.
Tenure as Prosecutor General
In June 2021, Han Dong-hoon was appointed Prosecutor General by President Moon Jae-in. The most significant case during his tenure was the investigation into allegations of corruption in the Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong development projects involving Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. In March 2022, Han Dong-hoon sought an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung, but the court rejected it. After the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, Han Dong-hoon emphasized prosecutorial independence and clashed with the CIO. In September 2023, he resigned as Prosecutor General and entered politics.
Political Activities
In January 2024, Han Dong-hoon joined the People Power Party and ran as a proportional representation candidate in the 22nd National Assembly election, winning a seat. After the People Power Party's defeat in the April 2024 general election, internal calls for reform arose, and Han Dong-hoon was elected party leader at the national convention in July 2024. As party leader, he intensified confrontation with the 'Lee Jae-myung system' and promoted internal reforms, including appointing former prosecutors to party positions. However, in December 2024, amid controversy over President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law, internal party conflicts deepened, and he ultimately resigned as party leader.
Policies and Ideology
Han Dong-hoon is a conservative politician who emphasizes the rule of law and prosecutorial political neutrality. In economic policy, he supports market liberalism and advocates for deregulation and business-friendly policies. On social issues, he values traditional norms but also makes efforts to reflect the voices of younger generations. Regarding prosecutorial reform, he argues for reducing the powers of the CIO and maintaining prosecutorial investigative independence.
Recent Developments
As of 2025, Han Dong-hoon is seeking a political comeback after resigning as party leader. Following the December 2024 martial law incident, he has been working to redefine his relationship with President Yoon Suk-yeol and solidify a neutral position within the party. Recent opinion polls consistently mention him as a potential presidential candidate, positioning him as an alternative within the conservative camp. In March 2025, he published a book titled 'Han Dong-hoon's Future' to convey his political message. Additionally, he is leveraging his network of former prosecutors to consolidate influence within the party. However, controversies from his prosecutor days (e.g., opposition to the 'prosecutorial investigation rights abolition' bill, the investigation of Lee Jae-myung) continue to serve as political liabilities.
Related Topics
- [[People Power Party]]
- [[Prosecutor General]]
- [[Lee Jae-myung]]
- [[Martial law]]
- [[22nd National Assembly election]]
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