Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party of Korea, chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon "is a legal investigation subject of the second comprehensive special counsel probe."
Appearing on SBS radio program "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" Wednesday, Seo addressed Han's request to be called as a witness before the Special Committee on National Investigation into the Yoon Suk Yeol Administration's Political Prosecution Fabricated Indictment Allegations.
"I will clarify this today," Seo said. "Han Dong-hoon is a subject of legal investigation."
Her remarks indicated that Han should be investigated by the second comprehensive special counsel, not summoned as a witness before the parliamentary investigation committee.
Han had pushed back against the Democratic Party's position a day earlier. In a Facebook post Tuesday, Han wrote: "Kim Hyun-jung, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, said 'Han Dong-hoon would be subject to punishment if the truth is revealed.' Yet they say they cannot call me as a witness."
"If you want to reveal the truth, you should summon the person involved and ask questions. This is completely inconsistent. What are they so afraid of?" Han added.
Seo also criticized prosecutor Park Sang-yong, who refused to take the witness oath at a previous hearing.
"Prosecutor Park underwent a hearing at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," Seo said. "When asked whether he had ever placed multiple co-defendants in the same cell, he said 'no,' but it has been confirmed that he actually did."
She continued: "When asked about outside food being brought in, he answered 'no,' but it was confirmed that food was brought in. When asked whether employees of former Ssangbangwool Group Chairman Kim Sung-tae attended to him, he also said 'no,' but visitor records show they did."
Prosecutor Park has been summoned to appear as a witness before the special committee on the 14th.
"If he refuses to take the witness oath again without justifiable reason, he faces up to three years in prison or a fine between 10 million won and 30 million won," Seo said. "If he fails to appear as a witness, a compulsory appearance warrant will be issued, and if he does not comply, the penalty increases to up to five years in prison."