Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
South Korea’s acting police chief leaves door open to reinvestigation
South Korea’s acting police chief, Kim Jong-cheol, said police would not rule out reopening an investigation into allegations involving lawmaker Han Dong-hoon’s daughter.
The allegations concern claims that she used false credentials.
Kim spoke during a National Assembly audit in Seoul on October 12, after lawmakers questioned how police handled the case.
Police received a complaint in May 2022 and decided in December 2023 not to refer the case for prosecution.
The police questioned Han’s wife once in writing and did not seek a search warrant, according to the account of the earlier investigation.
Kim said a reinvestigation could be considered if new facts emerge, and that police would review the matter if another complaint is filed.
Lawmakers from the Democratic Party criticized the earlier investigation and called for it to be reopened.
South Korea’s acting police chief said he would not rule out reopening an investigation into allegations that lawmaker Han Dong-hoon’s daughter had false credentials if new facts emerge.
Kim Jong-cheol said he would review the matter if a new complaint is filed.
He made the remarks during a parliamentary audit at the National Police Agency in Seoul on October 12.
A Democratic Party lawmaker accused police of conducting a inadequate investigation and called for a full reinvestigation.
Police received a complaint in May 2022 and decided not to refer the case for prosecution in December 2023.
- Who
- Acting police chief Kim Jong-cheol and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon’s daughter are central to the story.
- What
- Kim said a reinvestigation into allegations of false credentials would not be ruled out if new facts emerge.
- When
- October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The National Police Agency in Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- A Democratic Party lawmaker questioned the adequacy of the earlier investigation and called for a reinvestigation.
Yoon Geon-young
Kim Jong-cheol
Investigation quality
Yoon Geon-young
Yoon alleged that police conducted a biased, inadequate investigation and said a reinvestigation was needed.
Kim Jong-cheol
Kim said police had followed procedures under the law, but acknowledged that more active investigative efforts may have been needed.
Reinvestigation
Yoon Geon-young
Yoon called for a full reinvestigation.
Kim Jong-cheol
Kim said he would consider the matter if a new complaint were filed and would not rule out reinvestigation if new facts emerged.
If new facts emerge, I will not rule out the possibility of a reinvestigation.
I will review it.
I think more active investigative efforts may have been needed.
If it was not a biased investigation showing favoritism, what was it?
Seoul Metropolitan Police received a complaint about allegations that Han Dong-hoon’s daughter had false credentials.
Police decided not to refer the case for prosecution.
At a parliamentary audit, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Kyun-taek made claims about a request for international legal assistance with the United States.
Acting police chief Kim Jong-cheol said a reinvestigation would not be ruled out if new facts emerged.
- Acting police chief
- Kim Jong-cheol
- Allegations
- Han Dong-hoon’s daughter was accused of having false credentials
- Complaint received
- May 2022
- Police decision
- December 2023; case not referred for prosecution
- Audit location
- National Police Agency, Seoul
Sources
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