Prime Minister Han Seong-sook apologized on September 11 for the alleged surveillance of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, stating, "Our staff acted inappropriately." However, she denied the allegations of surveillance.
During a National Assembly session focused on economic issues, Han explained, "I informed the Speaker's office about the situation, and I understand that at 2 p.m. today, the first vice minister visited the lawmaker's office to apologize."
In response to a request for an apology from Song Eon-seok, a member of the People Power Party, Han stated, "As a public official, I believe it was inappropriate to ask a question at a press conference for opposition lawmakers without clearly identifying myself." She added, "I regret that my response, which was given as a general citizen, caused unnecessary misunderstandings and controversy for both the lawmaker and the public."
On the previous day, Han Dong-hoon had demanded clarification regarding the surveillance allegations during a National Assembly session on foreign affairs, unification, and security. The Prime Minister's office later asserted that there was no surveillance of lawmakers or directives from the Prime Minister, stating, "An official from the Prime Minister's office, identified as A, asked a spontaneous question in a public place (the Rotunda), and regardless of the reasons, it was inappropriate for a current public official to ask a question at a lawmaker's press conference without disclosing their identity, and we issued a stern warning."
In relation to this, Han Dong-hoon challenged the Prime Minister's office's claim that it was a public space, asking, "Can the martial law troops also enter the Rotunda?" He also expressed the need to uncover the underlying motives.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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