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**Lee Chun-seok, Democratic Party of Korea Congressman – “The First Constitutional Arrest of an Incumbent President, ‘Charge of Rebellion’… Your Perspective?”**
– **Jung Chang-joon**: For the first time in constitutional history, an incumbent president has been arrested. Today, in a special current affairs interview, we connect with Democratic Party Congressman Lee Chun-seok, who is active as a National Assembly impeachment commissioner. Hello, Congressman Lee.
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Yes, hello. This is Lee Chun-seok.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: With the arrest of incumbent President Yoon Seok-yeol, how do you view this process?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: In conclusion, I see President Yoon Seok-yeol’s arrest as a proper course of justice. Typically, investigation without detention is the principle. However, whether to arrest or not is determined by the seriousness of the case and whether there’s a risk of evidence destruction or flight. According to the prosecutor’s investigation results, President Yoon began considering martial law seriously around the end of March or early April before the declaration on December 3. Before the martial law, it’s revealed he’s already changed his phone and left his Telegram account, clearing evidence related to martial law. He did not comply with arrest and search warrants and obstructed lawful enforcement using the Security Office. Even after being arrested, he refused to testify initially. Considering these circumstances, the court may have judged he intended to destroy evidence, leading to this decision.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: You mentioned the Seoul Western District Court’s arrest decision was based on concerns about destroying evidence. The President’s defense argued that since he’s already suspended from duties, he can’t exert influence and key figures are already detained, opposing the risk concerns. What’s your view on this?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Every citizen, including President Yoon, is a chosen leader and part of South Korea. Regarding his behavior, while he tries to exercise presidential authority, he shirks responsibilities as a Korean citizen. I believe these actions make others question if he’s truly representing the nation properly. President Yoon should assume the responsibilities of a national leader and apologize to the nation amidst this turbulence caused by the illegal declaration of martial law, which has affected the country’s credibility and state of emergency.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: President Yoon participated in the detention hearing after avoiding investigations. Did he calculate the likelihood of detention refusal overturning?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: He didn’t file a detention objection application, often not done because the detention period is typically 48 hours. President Yoon exercised this right but was denied, just like during the arrest warrant application. If he had been more cooperative with investigations earlier, this arrest might have been avoidable. However, his lack of remorse led to the results we see.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: You believe his non-cooperation contributed to the arrest warrant being issued. Will he request a detention review?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: I believe so. He exercises all available rights despite the circumstances, but I view successful appeal chances as extremely low.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: The People Power Party suggested a similar standard should apply to opposition leaders for fairness. What’s your take?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Such logic doesn’t apply. Party leader Lee Jae-myung, amidst accusations prompted by excessive prosecution investigations, has never evaded investigation or court appearances. Comparing him with President Yoon is politically motivated, legally incorrect.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: The president’s supporters causing chaos at Western District Court was shocking. What are your thoughts?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: It’s unacceptable. While citizens have protested against administrative or legislative bodies, targeting judicial institutions is unheard of in democracies. I suspect external influences behind such acts.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: President Yoon is continuously sending messages from jail. What’s your opinion on this?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: As a lawyer, he must know the consequences. His continuous messages aim to influence his position retention and potential election outcomes, perhaps delaying constitutional court proceedings. Such actions might align interests with the People’s Power Party against judicial proceedings.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: Some argue extreme political confrontation is fueling this situation. Do you agree?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: I agree. Political dialogue has ceased, and ideological conflicts have intensified. Political parties bear responsibility for failing to maintain democratic principles and become arenas for power, not public service.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: With today’s parliamentary inquiries, prevention measures are crucial. What are your thoughts?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Since democratization in ’87 taught us our constitutional system is unstable, further discussions are necessary. Accountability for past transgressions hasn’t been established, allowing historical repetition. Moving forward, severe accountability without clemency is necessary to ensure similar incidents don’t recur.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: Does repeated presidential clemency impact these issues?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Yes.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: Regarding constitutional amendments, what’s your stance?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Essential at an appropriate time, reforms should ensure responsible governance and moderate presidential powers.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: Will the prosecution cooperate with investigations during the divided 20-day detention?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Though predicting his cooperation is challenging, I foresee eventual engagement, especially if it favors his interests, likely towards the prosecution as he’s historically aligned with them.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: Will his arrest influence impeachment proceedings?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Courts and constitutional courts handle different issues. However, I believe the arrest indicates acknowledgment of his martial law violations, affecting the constitutional judgment.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: Anticipation for upcoming impeachment hearings?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: President Yoon’s legal representatives pursue untenable defense strategies. I urge truthful acknowledgment of wrongdoing as the constitutional court proceeds objectively.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: Comparing the current impeachment process with eight years ago, note any differences?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: The constitutional court’s firm commitment to constitutional protection persists, fostering wise decisions for Korea’s future.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: We’ve observed rising support for the ruling party. Where does the Democratic Party stand?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Opinion shifts, often mobilized by propagandist efforts, challenge the status quo but may not sustain further support.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: How will the Democratic Party adapt?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Conscious of public perception, we aspire to humbler governance, responsive to national welfare, and anticipate practical changes within the party.
– **Jung Chang-joon**: On the topic of the rebellion special prosecutor law, any thoughts?
– **Lee Chun-seok**: Despite opposition claims, investigative provisions remain standard in special prosecutor cases. Resistance possibly stems from initial opposition to its enactment rather than the specific content.
Until here, we’ve been speaking with Congressman Lee Chun-seok from the Democratic Party. Thank you for your time.