▲ Joo Jin-woo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party
The People Power Party today (23rd) responded to the Supreme Court’s decision to refer Lee Jae-myung’s election law case to the grand bench and initiate the first grand bench hearing by stating that it is a “natural procedure” and repeatedly urged for a swift ruling.
Joo Jin-woo, the head of the party’s legal advisory committee, wrote on Facebook, “The Democratic Party is starting to intimidate the judiciary by calling the referral to the grand bench very unusual,” and added, “This is semi-intimidation. The judiciary is handling it according to law and principle.”
Joo emphasized, “The time schedules of politics and the judiciary are separate, which constitutes the separation of powers,” and urged, “The Supreme Court must clearly determine whether he is guilty or not guilty through a ruling without remand (where the Supreme Court reverses the original trial and makes a final decision without sending the case back).”
Yoon Sang-hyun also posted on Facebook, stating, “If the Supreme Court’s decision comes after Lee registers as a presidential candidate or after he is elected, regardless of the outcome, it will inevitably cast doubts on fairness.”
He continued, “If the ruling is made right before the election or during the campaign period, the verdict will inevitably have a significant impact on the election, leading the public to not accept the result.”
Yoon added, “Even for the Democratic Party, if it goes past May 3rd, the golden holiday leaves very little time to prepare an alternative candidate,” arguing that “the Supreme Court must be deeply aware of the severity and urgency of this matter and deliver a ruling before May 3rd.”
Park Soo-young also expressed through Facebook, “The Supreme Court, even if it doesn’t reach a final decision without remand, could still decide to remand before the presidential election,” stating “there is a hope for a thorough and swift decision that reveals all of Lee Jae-myung’s crimes and results in appropriate punishment before the election.”
Park concluded, “While a direct ruling would be ideal, even a ruling to remand with a guilty verdict would allow voters to make a reasonable choice.”