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Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (left) delivers an emergency briefing on Korea’s successful bid to annul the Lone Star ISDS arbitration ruling at the Government Complex Seoul on November 18. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho stands behind him on the right. / Source: Yonhap News

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said he intends to commend former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon for filing the annulment request that led to South Korea’s victory in the Lone Star ISDS case over the sale of Korea Exchange Bank.

In a Facebook post on November 20, Kim said that if he meets Han—now a former People Power Party leader—he would tell him, “You did well to pursue the annulment.” He added that the matter “should not be turned into a political dispute.”

Kim stressed that the achievement was made possible by government officials who continued their work without wavering during what he described as a period of political instability. “There is no need to attack one side based on what one person says, nor to dismiss the annulment request as nothing more than a routine prosecutorial appeal,” he wrote.

His remarks came in response to criticism from the People Power Party, including Han himself, accusing the current administration of trying to “claim credit” for the victory.

Kim said he made early-morning calls of appreciation to officials who played crucial roles in the case, naming Justice Ministry Director Jeong Hong-sik, Section Chief Cho Ara, and others. “They are the real contributors,” he said, adding that he even suggested to Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho that he “hold a chicken-and-beer party” for the team.

“I believe the president will also recognize their work once he returns,” Kim wrote.